Is OLED worse for eyes than LCD?

6 janvier 2025

When it comes to eye health, there are several factors to consider when comparing OLED and LCD displays, such as blue light emission, brightness, flicker, and contrast. Both OLED and LCD technologies offer their own pros and cons, and the potential impact on your eyes can depend on how you use the display, how long you stare at it, and the settings of the device. Let's break it down:

1. Brightness and Eye Comfort:

OLED:
- OLED displays are capable of producing deeper blacks and a higher contrast ratio compared to LCDs because each pixel is self-emissive (it produces its own light). This means that blacks are true blacks, and the contrast is much sharper.
- High contrast can be beneficial for eye comfort, especially in dimly lit environments, because it reduces the strain from bright whites against dark backgrounds.
- However, OLEDs can also be brighter at their peak levels, which might cause discomfort for some users if they have sensitive eyes or are using the screen in a dark environment.
LCD:
- LCD displays rely on a backlight, which means they can sometimes feel a little more flat in terms of contrast. However, modern LED-backlit LCDs (often referred to as LED TVs) can achieve relatively high brightness levels and are often preferred in bright rooms.
- While bright backlighting can cause eye strain, LCDs typically don’t reach the extreme contrast ratios of OLEDs, so they can be gentler on the eyes in bright conditions. However, in low-light environments, the lack of deep blacks and contrast can make LCD displays feel more harsh.

2. Blue Light Emission:

OLED:
- OLED screens tend to emit less blue light compared to some LCD displays. Blue light exposure has been linked to eye strain, disrupted sleep patterns, and long-term damage to the retina when viewed excessively.
- However, OLED is not immune to blue light, and depending on the device's brightness and settings, some OLED screens can still emit significant amounts of blue light.
- Many OLED displays now come with blue light filters or night mode features, which reduce the harmful effects of blue light and make it easier on the eyes, especially when viewing the screen in low-light conditions.
LCD:
- LCD screens, particularly those with LED backlighting, are known to emit higher levels of blue light than OLEDs. Prolonged exposure to blue light from LCD screens can lead to eye fatigue and may affect sleep cycles if viewed before bedtime.
- LCD displays can be more difficult to use in dark environments, as they typically have higher levels of light spill (due to the backlight) compared to OLEDs, which can exacerbate eye strain. However, some modern LCD displays come with blue light reduction settings to help mitigate this issue.

3. Flicker (PWM):

OLED:
- OLED displays typically use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to control brightness levels. PWM rapidly turns the screen's pixels on and off at varying frequencies to adjust brightness.
- Low-frequency PWM can be problematic for people who are sensitive to flicker, causing symptoms like headaches, eye strain, or fatigue. However, many newer OLED models use higher-frequency PWM, which is less likely to be noticeable.
- If you are sensitive to flicker, OLEDs may pose an issue depending on the quality and settings of the display.
LCD:
- Like OLEDs, many LCD displays (especially older or budget models) also use PWM to control brightness, though some newer models use DC dimming (direct current dimming) instead of PWM, which reduces flicker.
- DC dimming is considered healthier for the eyes, as it doesn’t cause flicker. However, many high-end LCDs still use PWM, especially in LED-backlit models.
- In general, LCDs with PWM might cause less flicker than OLEDs, especially if they use higher PWM frequencies or DC dimming.

4. Screen Reflection and Glare:

OLED:
- OLED screens have glossy finishes, which can increase reflections and glare when used in bright environments. This can cause discomfort to your eyes, especially when there is a lot of light bouncing off the screen.
- However, the rich contrast and deep blacks of OLED displays often make it easier to see the content in low-light conditions without the need for excessive brightness.
LCD:
- LCD displays often have matte screens (in some models) or anti-glare coatings that help reduce reflections and glare, making them more comfortable to use in bright rooms or under direct lighting.
- While the lack of true blacks in many LCDs can make viewing in dark environments less pleasant, they can be easier on the eyes in brightly lit rooms due to reduced glare.

5. Eye Fatigue and Viewing Comfort:

OLED:
- OLEDs tend to provide better contrast and can reduce the need for high brightness, which can be easier on the eyes in dark rooms. Their ability to produce deeper blacks reduces the strain of contrasting light and dark areas on the screen.
- The faster response times in OLED screens can also reduce motion blur, which can reduce eye strain, especially during gaming or fast-moving scenes in movies.
LCD:
- While LCDs generally offer a lower contrast ratio than OLED, their brightness and clarity can be very good, especially in well-lit environments. However, if used for prolonged periods at high brightness, they can lead to increased eye fatigue due to the lack of true blacks and the brightness contrast.
- LCDs with IPS panels (In-Plane Switching) tend to have wider viewing angles and more consistent brightness across the screen, which can make them more comfortable for long periods of viewing.

Conclusion:

Neither OLED nor LCD is inherently "worse" for your eyes; rather, it depends on how the display is used and your own sensitivity to certain factors. Here are the key takeaways:

OLED screens provide better contrast and deeper blacks, which may make them more comfortable for dark room viewing and can reduce the need for high brightness. However, they can still emit blue light and may have flicker issues.
LCD screens, especially those with LED backlighting, tend to emit more blue light and may require higher brightness levels, which can contribute to eye strain over time. However, newer LCDs with blue light reduction and DC dimming can be more comfortable on the eyes than older models.

For eye health, it’s important to:

Adjust brightness settings to comfortable levels.
Enable blue light filters when possible.
Take regular breaks to reduce eye strain (e.g., following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
Use the screen in well-lit environments to reduce the contrast strain on your eyes.