I purchased a new iMac six months ago. Each time I use it, I get horrible headaches that take 48 hours to recover. This doesn’t happen when I use any other computer and monitor for my full time job. It also doesn’t happen with my iPad. I tried to adjust the display settings but it isn’t solving the problem. It’s at the point that I can use the iMac because it makes me feel so sick. Any ideas?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iMac 24″, macOS 14.6
Apple's info on color profiles:
ColorSync Utility User Guide for Mac - Apple Support
You might look at Night Shift options. Night shift produces a warmer color.
Shift to warmer colors on your Mac - Apple Support
I had cataract surgery in 2013 that made everything —including our all-white kitty—look intensely blue-white until my old brain adjusted. I set warmer displays colors and that helped. At the time, my old iMac did not support Night Shift, so I simply set up a warm profile using the "Calibrate" option in Settings > Displays > Color tab.
Same after a retina reattachment procedure three years ago. Warmer tones had me back at the computer sooner.
Apple's info on color profiles:
ColorSync Utility User Guide for Mac - Apple Support
You might look at Night Shift options. Night shift produces a warmer color.
Shift to warmer colors on your Mac - Apple Support
I had cataract surgery in 2013 that made everything —including our all-white kitty—look intensely blue-white until my old brain adjusted. I set warmer displays colors and that helped. At the time, my old iMac did not support Night Shift, so I simply set up a warm profile using the "Calibrate" option in Settings > Displays > Color tab.
Same after a retina reattachment procedure three years ago. Warmer tones had me back at the computer sooner.
If you determine that you can no longer use the iMac, I see several options if you want to stick with Apple and the macOS:
1) connect an external monitor to the iMac and use that instead of the iMac's built in screen.
2) trade in the iMac for a Mac mini or Studio and use whatever external monitor you wish with that computer.
3) use some model of MacBook (Pro, Air) and an external monitor with that.
I hope you can work this out in a way that lets you continue to be productive with macOS.
Turn the brightness down.
Try a different color profile.
Set display contrast to Normal.
You might want to check with your optometrist. I'm on and off an M3 iMac just about 24/7. I've never had a headache because of it. There do seem to be a few people that are more sensitive than others. Yours is the third such post I've read in the past year. Given the fact there are tens of thousands of people using one without an issue, an eye doctor may have more insight.
Talk to them about polarized and/or blue-light filtering lenses designed for computer users.
thank you. I am a cornea transplant recipient and my eye care team is of the impression to get rid of the iMac. Trying to find an alternative… given $$$
You're welcome. So was I in 2010 but everyone's different.
How do I adjust iMac display settings
