It's probably because you're using light dark text, on a dark background. To maximize eye-strain reduction: * reduce monitor brightness * increase contrast b

It's probably because you're using light dark text, on a dark background. To maximize eye-strain reduction: * reduce monitor brightness * increase contrast between background and text For me, light grey background (no blaring, eye smashing white) with black text works well. The only point of "grey not white" is again, to reduce a smashed-in-the-face white background. If one keeps the contrast difference low, that is, slightly-lighter dark text on dark background, then the monitor must be brighter to discern difference between text and background. (Of course, as you have stated, this may not work for you.)