Eye strain/pain headaches with MacBook Pro 14 2023

I am writing to you today to express my disappointment with the recent purchase of a MacBook Pro 14 2023, which I ordered online in Paris and brought to Turkiye where I currently reside. Within just 20-30 minutes of use, I noticed that it is difficult for me to focus on any text or picture. Furthermore, my eyes quickly became strained and stressed, leading to a feeling of discomfort, as if there was sand in my eyes. The discomfort only worsened over time, and I suffered from a strong headache that made it impossible for me to read a book, watch TV or just sit with eyes opened.


I have been working with computers all my life, and I have never experienced anything like this before. I have owned CRT monitors, Sony Vaio, Lenovo X1 Carbon, and have never felt any discomfort, even when working long hours during hackathons. I have done some research on this issue and found that I am not alone, as many people have complained about similar problems with the new MacBook displays. Some even created a petition on change.org, highlighting the issue.



I have tried various solutions such as scaling, True Tone, Night Shift, etc., but nothing has helped me. Also I tried third party apps like Flux app, BetterDisplay, Switchresx with no effect. I think that such a device worth 3100 euros should work well just out of the box, without third party apps or running terminal commands that I do not understand. Whenever I work with the MacBook, I get strained eyes, a headache, and my day is ruined. I am kind of scared for my health. After 1-2 days pause my eyes get better. When I work on my old Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon - everything is OK.


I have read on the internet that these issues could be related to the new modern retina displays with technologies such as PWM and dithering. These technologies aim to offer more realistic colors (10 bit), but they are causing discomfort and health issues for some users like me. As a MacBook Pro user, my primary use of the device is for coding and web surfing, and I do not require advanced display features such as photography or video making.


Therefore, I would like to request your professional advice on how to disable these new modern technologies to have a simple and less colorful display that would not cause any discomfort. I have tried experimenting with various settings, but this has only worsened my symptoms, and I am afraid to continue doing so. I need a simple and proven set of instructions that will help me address this issue without harming my health.


Considering the fact that I am not the only one experiencing this issue, I am wondering if it would be possible to get in touch with the Apple engineering team to investigate and potentially find a solution. It could be related to dithering, PWM, or some other factor, but I am willing to test any recommendation they may have and provide feedback on the results. I believe this could be of great benefit to many MacBook users who are struggling with eye strain, and could also prompt Apple to release a settings update or fix to address the issue.


According to some user reports, using the old MacBook display preset called "sRGB" is better for the eyes. However, if I choose this preset in the display settings, I am unable to adjust the brightness as it is blocked on Mac OS Ventura. Currently, the only presets that allow brightness adjustment are "Apple XDR Display (P3-1600 nits)" and "Apple Display (P3-500 nits)". Is there a way to adjust the brightness on other presets in OS Ventura?


To summarize the previous discussion and suggestions found on the internet, I have the following questions:


- Is it feasible to disable temporal dithering on Mac OS Ventura?

- Can PWM be disabled?

- Is it possible to adjust the brightness on display presets besides "Apple XDR Display (P3-1600 nits)" and "Apple Display (P3-500 nits)"?

- Can the color depth be reduced in Mac OS Ventura?

- Are there any tests to verify if the above changes have been disabled or not?

- Do you have any additional advice to help resolve this issue?


When I contacted the technical support and after-sales department, they advised me to return the MacBook to an Apple Store. However, since I bought it in Paris, France, and currently reside in Turkey, it poses a logistical challenge for me to comply with their suggestion.


[Link Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 13.2

Posted on Apr 8, 2023 8:21 AM

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Posted on Jun 24, 2023 12:09 AM

I am currently experiencing the same issue, my eyeballs get very itchy and red with severe pain the next morning whenever I use my laptop at night.


I recently got MacBook Pro M2 14-Inch 2023 16GB RAM 1TB, First I was very excited thinking I got my worth for the money but little did I know I will be totally discouraged.


I am very afraid now, my eyes' health is deteriorating. I think Apple should look into this issues before it gets out of hand.


I was using MacBook AIr, and I never had this issue.

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65 replies

Jan 3, 2024 7:51 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Exactly. Not saying the MacBook was a direct cause. But my eyes were definitely feeling some type of strain that I haven’t felt before. I do automotive equipment sales from home and work on cars as my hobby so you can see how that adds up I guess. I snagged the m2 MacBook Air thinking it would be nice for workflow while I’m out and about. Maybe I’m getting old and need to look into getting glasses now who knows.

Jan 3, 2024 8:45 AM in response to umnfan10

umnfan10 wrote:

Maybe I’m getting old and need to look into getting glasses now who knows.

Do you wear reading glasses? If so, they don't really work that well with a computer screen. You'll end up tilting your head and sitting at weird angles. Go to your eye care provider and get glasses specifically designed for computer use. I've worn reading glasses for about 10 years but only just got computer glasses (actually progressive lens that I can wear for both) and the difference is amazing.


If you're over forty and haven't had your eyes checked recently, try to do that.

Jan 22, 2024 3:58 PM in response to reycletechno

I am presently encountering the same issue.


At my residence, I utilize my MacBook Pro 16” with M2 Pro (2023) in conjunction with an external display (49WQ95C-W), an IPS LCD screen, and encounter no issues. However, when working remotely, maintaining an 8-hour workday using the MBP display becomes challenging. Similar challenges are observed with my iPhone 15 Pro.


Contemplating reverting to a previous model, such as the iPhone 11 (base model with IPS LCD), for a more seamless experience. Any recommendations for earlier MacBook Pro models?


It would be advantageous to have the capability to disable PWM for brightness across all Apple devices in the accessibility settings, opting for software-based brightness dimming instead of hardware-based.

Feb 19, 2024 11:39 PM in response to reycletechno

You can disableTemporal Dithering in terminal. I found some Mac users doing this, and in turn doing so relieved them from eye strain and pain.


The issue is either or pwm/dithering due to 8bit +FRC panels, which is a common thing with TVs, cellphones and laptops. As well as flickering from LED lights, such as lightbulbs, sometimes strips, Philips wake-up lamps etc.


For PC screens it's easier. They generally are flicker free. TV and cellphones however is much harder. And even flicker free there doesn't always mean no issues. As LG OLED series as an example are flicker free for the most part, besides dips in brightness every X ms. The issue are other factors it seems, and size could also matter. Along with room brightness, having led strips on back as ambient light to diffuse screen brightness more, keeping screen at max brightness. Turn off all extra features, disable power saving and vari brightness etc...


I never had issue until I got OnePlus 7 Pro and OLED TVs. Now I'm very sensitive. On cellphone I use flux with specific color tones, keep phones om max brightness and use flux to lower brightness / overlay colors that help relieve the strain. Making sure not to have amber and other color tones which makes it worse. Using bright, not dark mode. PWM modulation increases with lower brightness on system level.


Google disable dithering Mac terminal. Should find the threads then.


R/Pwm_sensitive i believe it is on reddit for further knowledge. And lastly, I suggest seeing an orthodontist. Eye health is important. Maybe there is something else underlaying. I have lots of sight issues since childhood and wear glasses.


We all have different trigger and root causes. Making this challenging. I hope you figure it out!


Best of luck!

Feb 20, 2024 9:45 AM in response to JamieRmusic

You bring up a really interesting point.


Information readily available online seems to say that Apple-Silicon MacBook Pro models do not use Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM) backlight brightness control. That could explain why whacking at PWM solutions has no obvious impact.


But FRC temporal dithering (to simulate Billions of colors on an inherently Millions of colors physical built-in display) does NOT appear to be in use on Apple-Silicon MacBook Pro models either.


Some of the search items confirmed earlier suggestions that Brighter (i.e., Light mode) was less strain on your eyes than Darker (i.e., Dark mode).

Mar 4, 2024 2:36 PM in response to reycletechno

Same here. My solution so far are blue light blocking glasses. (red tinted lenses)


It works quite well, the eye strain goes away and I can work with no issues, but color related work is kinda impossible. :( Def a bummer with an otherwise really great machine.


The new MBAir models seem to have the old display tech, so maybe downgrading might be the move?

Apr 15, 2024 6:40 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Not true. You don't know me.

You know what they say about those who assume.


I'm a musician of three instruments, have been a stock broker, designer, architect, and retired at 42.

My eyes have been used for plenty and I have 20/10 vision with a 160 IQ.

I also taught myself coding and developed some of the big websites you visit.


[Edited by Moderator]

Jun 3, 2024 11:39 PM in response to reycletechno

So I now bought a 50$ 300 nits external display and Im fine with throwing this one over my built-in Macbook screen and connecting it via USBC


With the built-in screen, Ive noticed that I can work with it outside in the shade in strong sunlight (around the tropics), but not further up north where sunlight isnt as strong


I also tried my old MBP (2018) with 500 nits and that also seems to be fine


I guess the issue is just with the new 1600 nits 2023 MBP display brightness, and also maybe the newscreen tech is also an issue

Eye strain/pain headaches with MacBook Pro 14 2023

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