[Kat]

Hi all,

I'm new here, having just received my Kindle last night (after only a four day wait!!)  I was fully prepared to love it, but sadly, that is not the case. 

Here is my concern: after only about 20 minutes of reading, my eyes began to hurt...a strained feeling.  After an hour and a half I also developed a headache.  Is this common in the beginning? 

Please tell me this is something that will pass (okay, don't lie, I really do need the truth here.)  I've been careful to look away or close my eyes when going to the next page to avoid any issues from the "flash".
I don't get eye strain when reading my computer screen, so this is a surprise to me.

Aside from this issue, I love everything about my Kindle. But I won't be able to keep it if these problems persist.   

Kat

 

[Linda Cannon-Mott]

Hi Kat,
I'm not sure what this could be, I'm assuming you had adequate lighting. You can increase your font size and see if perhaps this will help. I had no problem at all. Hope this issue is resolved for you. Keep us posted.

Linda

 

[Khabita]

Oh, no! The trolls have found us already!

Okay, maybe you're not a troll. But if not, then I think you need to go to your doctor IMMEDIATELY and have tests done. MRI, CT scan, the works. I suspect a brain tumour.

 

[Leslie]

Hi Kat,

That was not my experience at all. I found reading on my Kindle effortless from the minute it arrived. However, someone else posted over on Amazon (or maybe it was you) about the same thing: eye strain at first, then a headache. I don't know if it got better or she returned her Kindle.

I would do as Linda suggests. Make sure you have a good size font and good lighting. Be comfortably seated, too. Good luck and report back.

L

 

[Khabita]

LHN -- you are far too nice. I don't believe a word of that post.

But, again, Kat, I must emphasize that if reading on the Kindle gives you eyestrain and headaches, and the "flash" causes you discomfort, and reading a book does not give you these symptoms, then you need to get to a doctor immediately. I would also advise you to stay far, far away from the computer, and especially from forums or any similar sites where intelligent people are trying to have meaningful conversations.

 

[Cuechick]

Do you use reading glasses? I actually prefer using the smallest or 2nd smallest type and using my glasses. So if increasing doesn't help,
maybe decreasing and add more light? I would give it a little time, it may just be an adjustment thing... hope your able to work it out.

 

[Kat]

Just to clarify, I am NOT a troll, nor do I play one on TV.  In fact, it was Leslie's beguiling personality on Amazon that lured me here...in the apparently mistaken belief that I would be welcome.

It was not me who posted about eyestrain on Amazon, but thanks for the heads up. I'll head over there and try to find out if her issue was resolved.

As for me, I've stayed off the Kindle all morning...and my eyes still hurt.  I'm beginning to suspect the problem is....allergies!! ('Tis the season!)  My Kindle and I will be rejoicing if this is indeed the case.

But, hey, others can still hold out hope for that brain tumor.

Kat

 

[Leslie]

Thank you, Kat. And we are glad to have you here. Good luck and keep us posted.

L

 

[Khabita]

If it's allergies, reading will make no difference.

But Troll Patrol will back off . . . for now.

 

[Jen]

Kat, I didn't have that problem either - however, the flashing did bother me at first.  I got used to it pretty quickly.  That's really strange that reading on a computer doesn't bother you but the kindle does - I'm the exact opposite.  The kindle is refreshing after staring at a computer all day.  Some have suggested already, but try increasing the font size and make sure you have plenty of light.  I almost always use my mighty bright light when reading, I get eye strain if I don't have enough light when reading, regardless of format. 
I hope it gets better, and of course you're welcome here!  Good luck!

 

[Kat]

OMG, I just read about myself and my alleged evil plot to garner 15 minutes of fame through my evil "troll" post!

I asked a simple question, in hopes of hearing that others had needed an adjustment period, and that everything would be fine eventually, so my Kindle and I could live happily ever after. I thought this board might be a better place to receive responses than Amazon, where, BTW, my question would have received lots more attention if that were my intent.

I had really hoped this would be a fun and friendly place where I could get to know people and learn about my Kindle in a more personal atmosphere than Amazon's.  I had no idea how personal it could become with one question.

Sincere thanks to those of you who took the time to offer helpful advice.

To those whose life is a perpetual "troll hunt", fear not, I will not be darkening your board again.

Kat

 

[magznyc]

kat - i did notice something like you're describing at the beginning - i too was concerned that i wouldn't be able to keep enjoying my kindle - it was never too bad but enough to make me uncomfortable. happily, it passed in a relatively short time and i've had no problems since. i hope this turns out to be the case for you - don't go crazy thinking you might have a brain tumor! good luck!

 

[Jen]

Kat, please don't let that keep you away from here - there are those of us here who will offer friendly advice when/if we can.  Best of luck, but I do hope you stick around!  As far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier!  Let's just be NICE to each other, that's all! 

 

[KBoards Admin]

Hello Kat, let me add my voice to this thread and ask that you give us another shot.

Your question is a legitimate one and worthy of discussion. I hope we didn't chase you away for good.

We're a new forum, but we're quickly trying to set a tone that welcomes discussion and is respectful of thoughtful posts that offer different perspectives on all things Kindle.

 

[fred3]

OMG, I just read about myself and my alleged evil plot to garner 15 minutes of fame through my evil "troll" post!

I asked a simple question, in hopes of hearing that others had needed an adjustment period, and that everything would be fine eventually, so my Kindle and I could live happily ever after. I thought this board might be a better place to receive responses than Amazon, where, BTW, my question would have received lots more attention if that were my intent.

I had really hoped this would be a fun and friendly place where I could get to know people and learn about my Kindle in a more personal atmosphere than Amazon's. I had no idea how personal it could become with one question.

Sincere thanks to those of you who took the time to offer helpful advice.

To those whose life is a perpetual "troll hunt", fear not, I will not be darkening your board again.

Kat

Kat: try not to take the troll stuff too seriously. Many of us (me included) have spent enough time on webboards to become jaded towards some of the stuff that is posted on line. Once injected with the anti-troll virus we see them everywhere and since you are the first person here to mention a relationship with the kindle and eyestrain some posters were attacking prior to knowledge (over zealous, but well meaning towards the board in general). The kindle actually makes it easier to read and eyestrain is one of the things it helps avoid. That said you mention your eyestrain problem and some people assumed you were just another trouble maker. It may not be fair, but some feel it's best to shoot first and ask questions later because trolls have ruined more than one good board.

Good luck with your problem and try not to judge the board too harshly. Some anti-troll deputies will not apologize and some will wait for proof of innocence. It's not personal (though it sure seems that way) and hopefully won't keep you away from the board.

 

[Jeff]

Nobody is going to believe this but when I first started playing solitaire on a computer it made my eyes water. Finally, I realized that because I was conscious of the timer, and trying to go as fast as I could, I wasn’t blinking.

Maybe Kat’s just too engrossed in her new Kindle and forgetting to blink.

Anyway, I hope she comes back.

 

[Linda Cannon-Mott]

Kat,
I hope it is allergies, I am an allergy sufferer also & you are so right it is the season. Take some med & hope you get better quick. Hope to see you back on the boards! 

Linda

 

[Shizu]

Kat,

I didn't had any problem with the kindle but each person is diffrent. I would feel sick seeing 3D game but it does nothing to my nephew. But if you still have headache, I think you should go to a doctor to make sure everything is okay. Maybe it was just the timing, coincidence, that you read on the kindle and start to have headache. Hope you're feeling better.

Shizu

 

[Susan B]

Kat-I hope you give this board another chance. I believe that we've become a bit paranoid due to a troll infestation on the Amazon Kindle board. As to your question, I've never had a problem with the Kindle but I do read on a rather large font.

 

[Buttercup]

I haven't had any problems with my eyes either.  Have you tried making the font a bit bigger?  That might help things if allergy meds do not.

Cindy