Eye problems from iMac 5k

I purchased an iMac 5k about a year ago. Within a few months of use I developed bad eye floaters in my eye, as well as dry eye, strain, and blurry vision towards the end of the day. I thought it was a coincidence, but every time I'm away and using a different computer for an extended amount of time my eyes are much better. When I go back to the iMac my vision degrades a lot and the floaters come back a lot stronger.

Has anyone else experienced this or have any explanation for it? I read somewhere that it may be due to the monitor being glossy, but my last monitor was glossy also and I didn't have the problem. I'd hate to have to get rid of my 5k iMac, the display is incredible, but it's become unbearable to use it every day.

iMac with Retina 5K display, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Jul 12, 2016 8:57 PM

19 replies

elektrobank Author

Level 1

22 points

Dec 17, 2016 9:31 AM in response to gkmach1ne

Agreed, this wasn't supposed to be a discussion about eye care. Just trying to poll others to see if his problem is unique to me or may be more widespread. I started developing these problems shortly after buying the iMac, and was diagnosed with an eye condition. It could be purely coincidental, but the symptom get a lot worse when I'm using the iMac, and go down a lot when I'm away from my iMac for a while and using my MacBook or another computer, so I wanted to see if others experienced the same. Also, my vision was tested 20/20 with my contacts, but after using my iMac, my vision is blurry and cloudy, and I see a crazy amount of floaters. Using my iMac can be downright painful somedays. I've been using computers for 20 years and never experienced anything like this. I thought the iMac would have the least strain on my eyes of any monitor, but that's not the case.

Now I'm wondering what to do next? Sell my super expensive iMac and get an external monitor and another computer? And if so, what monitor do I get? Is it the resolution that's causing this? The glare on the reflective screen? I'd like to try and pinpoint the cause so I can buy a monitor that will be more comfortable on my eyes.

babowa

Level 9

78,616 points

Jul 12, 2016 9:40 PM in response to elektrobank

Yes, I know it does; however, I've had to do it for some time (even with a regular iMac).

dialabrain

Level 10

137,023 points

Jul 13, 2016 8:02 AM in response to elektrobank

FWIW, floaters do not get better and worse and better etc. You may notice them more under certain conditions.

Jul 29, 2016 8:39 PM in response to elektrobank

I have exactly the same problem with my 21.5 inch non-retina display iMac. Sometimes I dread sitting in front of my iMac.

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Eye problems from iMac 5k