Dark Mode Eye Strain: Astigmatism, Visual Comfort, and Practical Solutions

A prevalent sentiment suggests that dark mode, particularly themes featuring bright white text on a pure black background, can be a significant source of discomfort for many users. This discomfort is often described as feeling like "eyes are being stabbed" or experiencing blurred and doubled text, a common issue for individuals with certain types of astigmatism. However, preferences for display themes reveal a complex landscape, even among those with astigmatism.

Navigating Visual Discomfort

For some with astigmatism, dark mode is indeed problematic, leading to difficulty concentrating or increased eye fatigue. These individuals often switch entirely to light themes, sometimes even for terminal applications. Conversely, other astigmatic individuals express a preference for dark mode, finding it less strenuous on their eyes, provided they meticulously adjust their monitor's brightness and contrast, especially in low-light environments. One user noted that even with corrective glasses tailored for astigmatism and computer use, both light and dark modes could present challenges.

Beyond Pure Black and White

A critical takeaway is that the extreme contrast of pure white text on a pure black background is frequently the root cause of discomfort. Many recommend opting for themes that use softer dark or light grey, blue, or other muted colors for backgrounds and text. Examples include themes like Nord, known for its "arctic" color palette, or Cobalt 2 for code editors, which offers sufficient contrast without being overly harsh. Eliminating strong colors from CLI applications, except for functional elements like diffs, was also suggested as a way to reduce visual strain.

Contextual Use and Customization

Personal circumstances heavily influence mode preference. Some users find dark mode useful at night but switch to light mode during the day, perceiving light themes as more pleasant and aesthetic in brighter conditions. There's also a psychological aspect, with one participant noting dark mode could feel "depressive" in summer months but "cozy" in winter, suggesting a mood-related dimension. Experimenting with displays backlit by colors other than pure white or black was also proposed.

The Debate on Dark Mode's Rise

The discussion also delves into the reasons behind dark mode's mainstream adoption. While some speculate it's partly driven by power savings on OLED displays, a strong sentiment suggests that its popularity is a "fad" that makes users "feel like hackers." Many participants vehemently dislike being forced into dark mode on websites or applications without an easily discoverable option to switch. Some cite human-factors research from the last century, arguing that light text on a dark background is inherently harder to read on screens, positing that computing moved away from "dark mode" (like green-phosphor CRTs) for good reasons. The consensus here is that while offering dark mode is beneficial, forcing it upon users is often poorly received.

Practical Solutions and Adjustments

To mitigate discomfort, several strategies emerged:

Specialized Eyewear: Using glasses specifically correcting astigmatism for computer use.
Theme Selection: Choosing themes with softer contrasts (e.g., dark grey, blue backgrounds instead of pure black) like Nord or Cobalt 2.
Display Settings: Manually decreasing monitor brightness and contrast, especially in low-light conditions.
Contextual Switching: Alternating between light and dark modes based on the time of day or ambient lighting.