TLDR — dark mode makes astigmatism worse. So your dark mode could be messing with the user experience of up to 47% of your user base.
Dark mode creates this effect in people with astigmatism since they find it “harder to read white text on black than black text on white. Part of this has to do with light levels: with a bright display (white background) the iris closes a bit more, decreasing the effect of the “deformed” lens.
Astigmatism causes blurred vision due to the irregular shape of one or both eyes. It can make it more difficult for people to read light text on dark backgrounds.
As the pupil diameter decreases, less light enters the eye, so our pupil needs to dilate more, causing the effects of astigmatism to be emphasized. I have not become someone against dark mode, but I do use it when necessary and not for everything and at any time. There is also excellent niche uses for dark Mode.
This effect is known as “halation” and it affects users with astigmatism, which people of all ages could have. Instead of a black background, use a dark gray background so that more light emits from it and the text doesn't bleed. Doing this decreases eye strain and strengthens reading stamina.
TLDR — dark mode makes astigmatism worse. So your dark mode could be messing with the user experience of up to 47% of your user base.
Astigmatism frequently worsens with age. Your cornea can become more irregular due to pressure from your eyelids as they lose muscle tone. Astigmatism generally stays stable until your turn 50. After then, your lens curvature progressively worsens each decade.
While dark mode does lessen the screen's overall brightness, which may seem easier on your eyes, it also causes your eyes to dilate. Since there is less light to take in, your eyes have to work harder to see clearly. Eye dilation can reduce your vision's sharpness, so you may have to strain to see well.
Studies have shown that people with normal or corrected vision have a better performance, however, people with stronger visual disorders will tolerate Dark mode better. But Light mode has a cost associated to the better performance, and it is the long-term risk of eye disease.
Someone with astigmatism has an irregularly shaped cornea instead of a round shape. This football shape prevents light from focusing directly on the retina causing blurry, distorted vision, headaches, and eyestrain. At night you will see starbursts or glare around lights making night driving dangerous.
Avoid glare on TV and computer screens. Place your TV or computer screen where lights do not reflect on the screen. Some people find it easier to work on a computer in a dimly lit room.
For people with astigmatism, a bright display with dark text is easier to read, because the iris closes a little more given the additional light; which decreases the impact of the defect in your cornea or lens.
Best colored contacts for astigmatism
TORIColors — These monthly color contacts for astigmatism are made by Poly Dev and offer vibrant opaque color. They come in four color choices: horizon grey, emerald green, seabreeze blue and golden amber.
Corrective Lenses
Glasses: Corrective glasses are the most common way to treat astigmatism. Astigmatism glasses look just like any other glasses. In cases of unusually high astigmatism, the edges of the glasses can appear thick. Glasses are only able to correct regular astigmatism, not irregular.
Wearing corrective lenses treats astigmatism by counteracting uneven curvatures of your cornea or lens. Types of corrective lenses include: Eyeglasses. Eyeglasses are made with lenses that help compensate for the uneven shape of the eye.
Dark mode reduces screen glare and blue light on laptop screens and mobile devices. However, there's no scientific evidence that the dark mode setting makes a real difference.
Some programmers take in reduced blue light when choosing dark mode, but this can vary between individuals. Those impacted most by dark mode can appreciate less eye strain. Programmers may also decide to apply dark mode in a dimly-lit room, creating the perfect environment to relax one's visual senses before bedtime.
Several pieces of research over the years have found the dark mode to have positive effects on our vision, resulting in reduced eye strain and better visual comfort. In addition, dark mode helps significantly to reduce screen glare mostly in dark environments.
When our pupils dilate, our sharpness of vision lessens, making it potentially difficult for some people to see in dark mode. If you have myopia, astigmatism or experience halation (light spreading to create a foggy/blurry appearance), you may have more trouble viewing things on your phone when it is in dark mode.
Astigmatism is a common eye problem that can make your vision blurry or distorted. It happens when your cornea (the clear front layer of your eye) or lens (an inner part of your eye that helps the eye focus) has a different shape than normal. The only way to find out if you have astigmatism is to get an eye exam.
The idea behind dark mode is that it reduces the light emitted by device screens while maintaining the minimum colour contrast ratios required for readability. Both iPhones and Android handsets offer system-wide dark modes. However, you will still need to set up dark mode on some individual apps.
Astigmatism surgery
Having surgery is the only way to permanently correct astigmatism. However, your type and degree of astigmatism, corneal thickness, age and other eye conditions are all factors in whether surgery is the best option — and if so, which type of surgery.
Either type of astigmatism can cause blurred vision. Blurred vision may occur more in one direction: horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Astigmatism may be present from birth, or it may develop after an eye injury, disease or surgery.
There are three options to correct astigmatism – glasses, contact lenses or laser eye surgery. Prescription glasses or contact lenses can correct astigmatism (along with long-sightedness or short-sightedness, if necessary). Alternatively, laser eye surgery can correct astigmatism and give you clearer vision.