Large Monitors: A Nausea Trigger?

Playing games or using devices such as computers, phones, and TVs can trigger symptoms similar to motion sickness. This condition is called cybersickness and can cause nausea, eye strain, fatigue, and headaches. While the specific cause of cybersickness is not fully understood, it is believed to be related to a mismatch of information perceived by the parts of the body that regulate vision and balance.

Some factors that can contribute to cybersickness include the use of larger monitors, with some people reporting that playing games on bigger screens or switching to a higher resolution can induce nausea and headaches. Additionally, the type of panel used in the monitor may also play a role, as some individuals report experiencing cybersickness with certain panel technologies, such as IPS, while not having issues with others like TN.

To alleviate cybersickness, it is recommended to adjust the refresh rate, ensure a proper ergonomic setup, play in a well-lit room, use a controller instead of a keyboard and mouse, and consider switching to a third-person camera view in games.

A higher refresh rate can help reduce nausea

Another person who plays games that involve a lot of movement and typically experiences motion sickness says that they bought a 144Hz monitor and no longer has issues with motion sickness. They also mention that they have tried playing games on a 240Hz monitor and did not experience any motion sickness, even though they are typically very sensitive to motion sickness.

A higher refresh rate can also help with the smoothness of the display. This is because a higher refresh rate allows for more input per second, which can result in smoother controls and less motion sickness. Additionally, a higher refresh rate can reduce input latency, which can also help to reduce motion sickness.

It is worth noting that some people have reported that a higher refresh rate did not help with their motion sickness. However, this may be due to the specific games they were playing or other factors such as the game's frame rate or the monitor's field of view.

Overall, a higher refresh rate can be a helpful way to reduce motion sickness for some people, but it may not work for everyone. It is important to consider the hardware specifications of your computer and the settings of the game or software you are using to ensure that you are getting the most out of your higher refresh rate monitor.

Adjusting the Field of View (FOV) can help

Playing on a PC with an FOV of 90 can cause motion sickness on many displays. This is likely due to the proximity of the player to the screen. On a TV, the player is generally much further from the screen, so a 90 FOV is not an issue. However, on a PC, this can be very noticeable and uncomfortable. Adjusting the FOV to a higher number can help alleviate these issues.

In addition to FOV adjustments, other factors can contribute to motion sickness and nausea. These include low frame rate, motion blur, head bob, and the colour palette of the game. It is also important to consider the refresh rate of the monitor, as a low refresh rate can also cause discomfort.

Some people find that they need to adjust the FOV in certain games but not in others. This may be due to slight differences in the game engines that their brains interpret differently. It is also worth noting that some people are more susceptible to motion sickness and nausea than others, so individual experiences may vary.

If you are experiencing nausea when playing games on a large monitor, adjusting the FOV is a good place to start. You can also try other solutions such as increasing the distance from the monitor, changing the refresh rate, or adjusting the frame rate.

A larger monitor can help reduce motion sickness

While many people experience motion sickness from larger monitors, some have found that a larger monitor can help reduce motion sickness. This may be because larger monitors offer improved viewing angles and smaller details, which can reduce the need for the user to move their mouse or head as much. Additionally, higher refresh rates and higher resolutions can also reduce motion sickness.

For example, one person reported that they experienced discomfort when gaming on a 15.6" laptop but felt better after switching to a 27" monitor. They also mentioned that taking breaks and adjusting the field of view (FOV) in games can help reduce motion sickness. Another person suggested that a higher refresh rate of 144Hz helped alleviate their motion sickness.

Other factors that can contribute to motion sickness include low refresh rates, motion blur, playing in a dark room, and sitting too close to the monitor. To reduce motion sickness, it is recommended to increase the FOV, turn off motion blur, invest in a flicker-free monitor, play in a well-lit area, ensure your eye level is higher than the top of the screen, increase the viewing distance, reduce brightness, and take regular breaks.

It is worth noting that individual experiences may vary, and some people may find that larger monitors do not help reduce their motion sickness. Additionally, other factors such as head bob in games, low frame rates, and certain game engines may also contribute to motion sickness. In some cases, users have reported that they need to switch back to a smaller monitor or adjust their FOV to find relief from motion sickness.

A higher frame rate can make nausea worse

While large monitors have been known to cause nausea, there are other factors that can contribute to the issue. One of these is a higher frame rate, which can make the problem worse.

A higher frame rate can cause nausea due to a mismatch between the display's refresh rate and the game's frame rate. This issue is known as simulation sickness and can be mitigated by capping the frame rate or using V-Sync/G-Sync to match the display's refresh rate. Additionally, some users have suggested that increasing the field of view (FOV) in games can help reduce nausea caused by higher frame rates.

Other factors that can contribute to nausea include low frame rates, motion blur, headbobbing, and low refresh rates. Adjusting the monitor's brightness, distance from the user, and posture while sitting at the monitor can also help alleviate nausea.

It's worth noting that some people may be more susceptible to motion sickness than others, and the effects of higher frame rates on nausea may vary from person to person.

A new glasses prescription can help

While there is no direct evidence that large monitor sizes cause nausea, there are many reports of people experiencing nausea and headaches when using larger monitors. In some cases, people have reported that they have had to switch back to smaller monitors to alleviate their symptoms.

If you are experiencing nausea when using a large monitor, a new glasses prescription could help. When you get a new pair of glasses, it can take some time for your eyes and brain to adjust to the new lenses and frames. This adjustment period can cause a range of symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, and headaches. These symptoms are more likely to occur if there has been a significant change in your prescription or if you have switched to bifocals or progressive lenses.

If you are experiencing nausea when using a large monitor, it is worth considering whether your glasses prescription is up-to-date. An outdated prescription may be contributing to the nausea you are experiencing. By getting a new prescription and giving your eyes and brain time to adjust to the new lenses, you may be able to reduce or eliminate the nausea.

It is important to note that adjusting to new glasses can take a few days or even weeks, and in some cases, the adjustment period may be longer if there has been a significant change in your prescription. During this time, you may continue to experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and headaches. However, as your brain adapts to the new glasses, these feelings should subside.

If your symptoms persist or worsen, it is recommended to consult an eye doctor or optometrist to review your prescription and ensure that it is correct. They can also provide guidance on how to make the adjustment period more comfortable.

Frequently asked questions