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Lights on or Lights off?



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Lights on or Lights off?

At our current generation, it is almost inevitable not to use a desktop or a laptop computer specially when it comes to working online. Even if you work offline, you sometimes still need to use a computer at some point. When I work online specially during night time, I always keep the lights on because I easily get eye strain whenever there are no other visible lights aside from the one I am staring the whole time. Although when I was a kid, I used to play video games on my computer without the lights specially when I am playing horror games such as Resident Evil or Sentinel Hill. 

What do you prefer? On or off?

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Corzhens
My eyeglasses have high grade of lenses that makes mybeyemy eyes susceptible to strain. I remember the first time I was brought to the optometrist to check my eyes, he had guessed that I was watching tv in the dark. That may have ruined my eyes. I never use the computer in the dark because the glare of the screen is magnified and it is bad for the eyes.



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galegatling
Good for you. Lights on or Lights off? As long as you are fine with that then that's great I guess. I have never tried using glasses because as what I've said, I'm not used to it.



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AmieBotella
I also prefer working with the lights on because i noticed that my eyes struggle to focus on the brightness of the monitor and I don't like that I can't see my surroundings while working. I also try to relax my eyes every once in a while to help relieve them. I mostly work in Autocad and Autocad screen is usually black so I have that it blends on the darkness of my surroundings too.



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Steve5
Some people find it difficult to watch shows in the dark. But I get why they like it. It's similar to watching in theaters. I generally prefer using gadgets with the lights on as it's less straining on the eyes.



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jeffreyjose48
Last night, I put our light on while sleeping. Its because yesterday I have many mosquito bites because when I slept I put off the light. Thank God when the light was on. There was no more mosquito bites.



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jeffreyjose48
I can't type well in my laptop computer when the light is off. I could see very clearly when the light is on. So I choose for lights on.



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TheInsaneSakif
I'm not used to working on my computer with the lights off because it puts a lot of strain in my eyes. And I'm a person who wears glasses, so staring at a glowing computer screen in a dark room can probably damage my vision in the long run.



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joegirl
It's better to have the light on when working on your PC in the night. This protects your eyes from getting strained and keeps you awake as well. Constant light pressure on the eyes also causes red eyes and a migraine.
Another option would be to have a bright lamp on by the bedside table. This can be positioned so it only focuses and glows on your screen.



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airfightermax
Yeah I also do this. When I have to use a device in the night, I'll at least leave my night lamp on so that not all light I'm getting are from the device. It relieves strain the eyes.



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fishmonk
I always use lights during nighttime. This is advised by my optometrist since using a PC in the dark will only lead to worsened eyesight.



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mark8625
Same to me. My eyes is not 20/20 vision anymore. I have eyeglasses and keep using it everyday. I could not work with my laptop without lights. It would help me to see things clearly and it makes easier to my eyes.



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jeffreyjose48
I agree with you. My eyes is also not 20/20 vision. I can see clearly when the light is on.



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mark8625
Yeah much better to watch or do your job in the computer when the lights are on. You can see things and clearly and you can able to do things properly.



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airfightermax
I prefer having the lights off, honestly. I have f.lux installed on my computer so the strain my eyes get is very minimal, and I wear prescription glasses that has extra UV protection on it to deflect excess light coming from the computer.

I also have a mechanical keyboard the lights up so typing in the dark has never been a problem for me. The colors my keyboard gives out looks better in the dark too!



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galegatling
Hi there. May you kindly elaborate what f.lux is and how does it work? I don't wear protective eyeglasses because I'm afraid I might get used to it and I that it wouldn't feel the same without it. :/

I also have a mechanical keyboard. Yes the RGB lights help a lot. Although I don't use the full brightness of the key lights.



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JoeMilford
I do enjoy playing video games with the lights off, actually. This is probably a bad habit, and maybe bad for one's eyes, but it tends to, for me, add to the intensity of the gaming experience, especially if the game is a scary one. When it comes to working on the laptop, however, of my desktop, I prefer brighter or "equal" lighting to that of the screen because of the stress on my eyes. I don't have the best eyesight to begin with, and I definitely do feel the strain, after working online all day, of the screen on my eyes.



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airfightermax
Yeah, I use my computer with my lights off too. It's way more fun and add to the immersive experience you get from the game.

Just a tip though, use f.lux to lower the brightness of your screen. It reduces the strain your eyes get and it is very useful.



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galegatling
Yeah same with me. I am also thinking of getting a shade lamp or the usb lamp if you know that. It has different color schemes selection to choose from so you can really identify which one works best for you as a dim light.



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mark8625
Thats right. I used to turn off lights when am using my laptop but I switch the lights of my laptop into not too bright. I feel my eyes hurting when too much bright.



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jayzen
Heh, I remember those days of playing horror games with lights off. There was a game (I can't remember it's name) that you could play with friends and me and my friends would camp out in my living room the entire night and just play.

I usually use my computer with lights on because I have noticed that it does help with eye strain. It may be only for me, but I think that definitely helps. I also like to take frequent breaks (like every 20 minutes or half an hour) where I'll take a short walk or just go and wash my face and relax my eyes with water a little bit.



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galegatling
It definitely helps, the lights if turned on. But some people like me sometimes don't want lights to be turned on. I guess it's just a habit. Specially if I am playing video games.



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centurion
Some times light on and some times light off. I am a full time freelancer and outsourcing worker at marketplace. I do work online at night time also. I see movie from online often also. I feel there is no necessity to light on at the time of work on night time. But for movement from laptop to some where else I use light on.

Thanks
Centurion



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thart
It seems that you are like me. I like playing horror video games in the dark, especially Resident Evil. That was before, but now i prefer to le the light on when i'm doing something on my computer.



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goldlady
Lights on, without any doubt! Night or day, when I am working at my computer I need light. It gives me headache when I use the computer with lights off, I think it is because having only the pc light it hurts the eye! But I know people who feel more comfortable working in their computer with the lights off.



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arachnophobik
I always seem to work with my lights off. I think it just gives me more focus over my work as my eyes are drawn out into the light. The bad side of it is the eye strain that I get whenever I stare at the screen for long periods of time, it gets me nauseous and often even causes fatigue which leads me to work very slow compared to my usual state. Back then, I used to combat this by lowering the brightness, but now I've bought computer glasses which works really nice.



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Laibrown
We are on the same page in this. When ever I put the light off I focus more on the work than when there's another light around on. I met with my doctor to complain about the itching eyes and she recommended some glasses for me. I did this to tackle the strain eyes issue. You could try that option too.



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yoyoalben0
Before i like doing desktop task lights off. But years passed my eyes become a bit dizzy in dark, nowadays turning on the lights would be the best for my eyes. i work 20 hours a day in front of my computer, even when in my day off i'm still infront of my computer so, lights on. Lights on or Lights off?



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thart
20 hours a day in front of the computer, that's too much and i think even in daytime that will be bad for your eyes, just try to take a break from time to time to relax your eyes, and you can use glasses too.



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mildredtabitha
I agree that 20 hours a day in front of a computer is too much. Wearing computer glasses is really needed. Reducing computer brightness can help in solving this issue.



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galegatling
Holy cow! Do you even sleep? That's kind of exaggerating don't you think? You only have 4 hours to sleep and that surely isn't enough at all! Do you even take a bath or enjoy your meal? Lights on or Lights off?



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mark8625
Working in 20 hours per day in front of the computer is not good. I believe you should wear eyeglass to avoid something wrong in your eyes. Prevention is better than cure so you must visit the opta soon.



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wallet
Hi, In the past I was working on my PC with lights on because it was much easier for me but when I started to suffer from a strain eyes and went to a doctor, he recommended me to use protection glasses and to keep the light off. He said that light off will not affect my eyes.



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Laibrown
I don't like light on in the night whenever I am in my room. I even remove the bulb in my room. Actually I did this because of my colleagues whenever they crash at my house they would want to put the light on. And this is against my policy but I am the host and they are the visitors so I have to satisfy them right. So to avoid detrimental satisfaction I removed my bulb. I prefer working in th dark.



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galegatling
That's good. Lights on or Lights off? I also sometimes like to work or play in the dark. I dunno maybe it's just a habit. But I'm worried about my eyes. x.x



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Tronia
At night time I always work without any lights on - on the computer that is. I am pretty lucky because right behind my monitor there's a window. Close to the window, on the right side, there's a street lamp so I sort of get enough lighting from it and my room isn't pitch black.

If you also mean television and playing games, then I also use no lights at the night time. I just find it weird having them turned because they actually tire my eyes more than if I am in the dark. Perhaps mine are too strong, who knows. Dark for the win! ;) Plus gaming in the dark gives you a better vibe and creates a special environment.



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galegatling
That is soo awesome and yet so cool at the same time! I always wanted a somewhat dimmer light on my room, probably a shade of light from something else. I am thinking of getting a USB LED lamp - the one that comes in different colors. Lights on or Lights off?

For the horde! I mean for the dark! XD Indeed. Dark gaming is fun. Hehe



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rage35
I prefer the lights to be on while doing computer works so as to avoid eye strain. It is not good that you are in front of a computer but the lights is on because it can damage your eyes.



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keen2write
Yeah, lights on when I am working the laptop as it adds concentration which you need when doing work online. Well, I do anyway as like you say causes eye strain.
Some people have them little lamp clipped on to there laptops as well.



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kgord
I don't have my lights on during the day. I do of course turn it on at night when I would have the lights on anyway. I guess I feel like there is enough light on during the day in order to work on the computer. It is a good thing to be able to do. I just think that there are some good ways to use the computer, but I don't do anything out of the ordinary.



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amazingsteven
As I am typing this now there is a little dim light on the background. I always on light the background when am working on my PC. However, if I want to go to bed, I always off the the light in my room.



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IKim
I usually sit in the dark when I'm working on my computer at night. It does not affect my eyes in any negative way though. But maybe that's just because I've gotten so used to it over the years.



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galegatling
You probably have a very good tolerance when it comes to eye strains and headache. I wish I could the same immunity level as you do.



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RhealaineS
Whoa! I guess you've developed tolerance because you've been doing it for a long time. I can't do that because my eyes hurt. That's why I only work with lights on.



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jeiss
When working on my computer at night I leave the light on. Sitting in a room with the only light available coming from my computer screen causes me eye strain over time. I always make sure to reduce the brightness of my computer screen so its equivalent to the lighting in the room where I am working. I also make sure my computer screen isn't too close to my eyes.



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galegatling
Hi. That's good to hear. I tried to reduce the brightness of my screen but I couldn't get used to it. It makes me feel dizzy and eventually will lead to head ache. I don't know why, but I'm guessing that I'm not used to dim screens. :/



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yoyoalben0
What alerts me when using my computer is after i wake up. it really hurts my eye so bad. i don't know if i should lower the gamma of my screen or consult a optometrist.



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JackDan
Depends on what I'm doing, watching movies or working online on my PC. I prefer lights off when I'm watching a movie and lights on when I'm working online. It's better to use glasses for your eyes because we all know that using PC a lot can affect our eyes.



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giovanniiiii
If I am playing games and it starts to get dark outside, I turn on the lights immediately because I feel that without the lights, I feel heavy straining on my eyes. Back then when I was still using laptop though, I could go through the night even without the lights on, since I could adjust the brightness of the laptop screen when it gets very late and if I think it's too bright. I could adjust the brightness of my monitor now on my PC but I find it a bit more of a hassle, compared to adjust a laptop's with just shortcuts on the keyboard.



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rosethornes
Lights off. I like to read in the dark but when I'm typing I used light since I can't see the letters in my keyboard. Maybe it's also one of the reason I have blurry vision now as I strain my eyes in the dark.



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peachpurple
Whether I am playing games or blogging on my laptop or smartphone, I always turn on the lights. In the past when I shared my bedroom with my son, I had to turn off the lights and blog under the dark because my laptop was in the bedroom and I had to accompany my son. After 3 years, my vision had worsen, I became short sighted. Now, I put my laptop in the dinning room, always on the lights, even the day time.



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SimplyD
I have read that using your gadget without a light except that coming from its screen, would be much more straining to the eyes. The light somehow minimizes the strain we get from staring or working on our computer.
Though for me, I find it nicer to be on my iPad at night while trying to be sleepy, when it's without light already. That way, I can easily get sleepy.
Though, if I intend to be on it for long, I have to have the lights on.



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sima061
Lights on. I only like watching movies in the dark. For any other work done on screen, I turn the lights on. I already have bad vision and I don't need to make it worse.
One thing I hate is when someone uses their phone in the dark and the light is so bright it hurts MY eyes and I'm not even the one staring into the screen.



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overcast
During the day time people should get the natural light as much as possible. Not just that benefits the bill but it is also good for the health. And that means you have to find out if you can get some white small LED light during the night time. So that way there are not many of issues as well. So for me lights off most of the time.



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iamawriter
Only at certain times in the day I keep the lights on although my house is bright. Working in the dark is not good for the eyes. I wear photochromic lenses that reduce the brightness. I use these glasses even while watching the tv.
I never use a cell phone except for sending and receiving message and so that question of keeping the lights on or off does not arise. I never attend to calls in the night.



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PinkTurtle
At nighttime I always try to use the lights on. When I was a teen I really damage my
sight because I used the computer until midnight with the lights off, I watched
tv with lights off too, now I have to wear glasses all the time. During day I
try to locate myself in a place with a lot of natural light but if there isn’t,
I still will turn on the lights. I will recommend for everyone to turn on the
lights when working at dark places because if not your vision is going to get seriously
damage like mine did.



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thart
Staring at any luminous source for prolonged time is bad for eyes.
The pupil in the eye is constantly adjusting in size to the different levels of light coming out from screen, so it could cause eye fatigue. That is, it makes your eyes tired and could make it temporarily harder to focus. It's not likely to cause permanent damage.



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Pixie06
I used to keep the lights off previously while working at night as I didn't want to disturb anyone. However, I started having eye strains and headaches due to this. I always keep the lights on now as I don't want to lose my eyesight. I don't really work that much at night now. I prefer to wake up early in the morning. I also find it easier to concentrate in the morning and I get better ideas too.



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Moazebrahim
In general I like lights off, even if I am using my Laptop / PC, I prefer lights off, because that means that I'll pay attention on what I am doing than what is in the room.



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ballyhara
Well, actually this question has made me realized, that I've been using my laptop with lights on during the day, and with lights off during the night. I have no idea why am I doing this. But, usually since I was a kid I rather watch TV, or a movie, or play video games, with lights off during the night. Maybe that is why I've been using glasses since I was 8. Anyway, I feel comfy with lights off, usually I hear some music while working on my laptop, and music with lights off is a must for me.



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mcbryan080990
Definitely, lights on for me. As a freelancer for USA based company, i usually work at night and I always turn my lights on. I'm not familiar with the keyboard so I need to stay the lights on to avoid errors and mistakes. My parents also told me that turning the lights off while in front of a computer or any gadget with radiation can cause damage to my eyes so they keep reminding me about it. Prevention is a cure as they said so it's one of my many reasons.



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Meg24
I prefer lights off, I have a filter for the light of the screen and I dim the brightness. I just can't have the light on all the time at night, I don't have a problem with my eyes. I guess it comes down to preference and comfort.



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DenisP
This is actually something I've started doing as well. I've noticed that working late with the lights on started severely disrupting my sleep schedule. In order to remedy this, I started turning all the lights off in the evening (save for a dim desk lamp) and turning on a blue-light filter for my monitor, and dim the brightness a bit as well. Blue light is what disturbs your circadian rhythm, so when you filter it out, your body slowly starts getting itself ready for bed. By the time I've wrapped up any work, I'm usually ready to get in bed and fall asleep within minutes.



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explorerx7
I have discovered that it's better for me to have the lights on when I am on the computer. When the light is on it's much easier on my eyes don't become so easily tired unlike when I am working in the dark because the external light eliminates the glare feedback from the computer screen.



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Joteque
In order to prevent eyestrain and overall fatigue in the eyes and body as they are all connected, it's best to take frequent breaks from the computer. It is also advisable to have another light source available when using computers in the dark to avoid the stress on your eyes from focusing on a single light source that is liable to adjust rapidly whenever a new image shows up on the screen. Some say that eye strain is not a prolonged annoyance while others suggest that the constant strain on the eyes if allowed to go unattended will cause long term damage to the eyes and even permit stress levels on the brain to escalate.



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Corzhens
We have a so called computer break in the office which means you have to move away from the computer for 5 minutes every hour for the benefit of your eyes against the strain from the glare and radiation of the monitor. It is a good practice to look away from the monitor once in a while just to avoid the continuous strain to your eyes especially when you are too focused on what you are doing in the computer.



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DenisP
In general, if I'm working or doing anything important on my computer, I prefer to have plenty of light around me. I have a lot of windows in my workspace, so throughout the day I keep the lights off because I get so much sunlight that turning on the lights doesn't even make a difference. However once the sun goes down, I will definitely turn the lights on if I'm still working. It isn't so much about my eyes as it is about maintaining focus. When the lights are off I get relaxed and become more prone to being distracted. When the lights are on, I stay as focused and attentive as I would be during the day.



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allyn2017
I agree with you and it keeps me awake. Having a dim light or turning off the lights makes me feel unfocused and sleepy.



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