Yes - Another post about eye strain.

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Level 1

4 points

Yes - Another post about eye strain.

I've seen a lot of people complaining about eye strain while using Macs throughout the last few years. I'm one of them (M1 Air), and I can tell (for sure) that using laptops from other brands will not trigger the symptoms.

Based on my own experience, I can tell it's mainly GPU-related, as connecting my laptop to my 75" TV is a sure way to make myself sick. Other than that, I do not experience problems with my TV. One of the known factors I've been able to find is GPU Dithering.

I've also seen moderators here say "millions of people don't have the issue, so you're wrong" when people complain, despite the growing awareness. Even AI models state eye strain from Mac devices as a fact, and there are videos on Youtube about it.

Yes, I have been to an ophthalmologist multiple times. They recommend using a different device.

Is Apple working on any fixes? I am waiting on a "miracle" new Macbook striving away from these technologies, but I might have to switch to a different brand. Hope someone here has an answer. Thank you!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.3

Posted on Mar 2, 2026 9:06 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 2, 2026 9:53 AM in response to tiotigre94

When the panel used to produce the display is inherently 8 bits, but you are displaying HDR 10 bits/color data on it, then Frame Rate Control (FRC) is used in some displays to achieve similar color dpth on a display that could not otherwise achieve that 10 bits/color color depth.

if you would be satisfied with somewhat lower color depth, you can try changing the display profile to sRGB IEC profile instead:

Changing MacBook Air Display Settings to sRGB IEC

To adjust your MacBook Air display settings to use the sRGB IEC color profile, follow these steps:

Access Display Settings

Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select System Settings.
In the sidebar, click on Displays.

Adjust Color Profile

In the Displays settings, look for the Color tab.
You will see a list of available color profiles.
Select sRGB IEC61966-2.1 from the list.

Confirm Changes

After selecting the sRGB profile, your display will adjust to the new color settings. You can compare the appearance of colors before and after the change to ensure it meets your needs.

Additional Tips

If you do not see the sRGB profile, you may need to click on Show profiles for this display to reveal all available options.
For more precise color management, consider using calibration tools or software if you require specific color accuracy for tasks like photo editing or graphic design.

By following these steps, you can successfully set your MacBook Air display to the sRGB IEC color profile.

--this recipe was provided by AI assist by DuckDuckGo

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Answer 2

Zurarczurx

Level 5

4,473 points

Mar 2, 2026 9:37 AM in response to tiotigre94

You're not clear on what sort of eye strain. Are fonts too small or too fine? Is the colour palette not good for you? You mention the GPU, so does that mean you can see higher-frequency refresh rates?

No one from Apple visits these boards and no one here knows what Apple might or might not consider fixing. However, there are thousands of years of accumulated experience with Macs here on the boards so if you give some more details about the problems you experience then it's likely that someone will come along who might be able to provide a bit of help.

You could also send feedback to Apple

https://www.apple.com/feedback/

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Yes - Another post about eye strain.

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