How to Reduce Glare When Reading Online
If you're dyslexic, reading online can feel like staring into a bright light. The glare from screens makes text harder to process, increases eye strain, and turns what should be a simple task into an exhausting one. You're not alone in finding this frustrating.
The good news is that reducing glare when reading online is entirely achievable with a few straightforward adjustments. This guide walks you through practical solutions that work, whether you're reading on a laptop, tablet, or phone.
Adjust Your Screen Brightness and Contrast
The most immediate way to reduce glare is to lower your screen brightness. A screen that's too bright creates harsh light that bounces off the display and into your eyes, making text appear to shimmer or blur.
Start by reducing brightness to around 40-50% of maximum. You want the screen bright enough to read comfortably, but not so bright that it feels like looking at the sun. The sweet spot varies from person to person, so experiment.
Also increase contrast between text and background. If you're reading black text on white, the stark difference can be uncomfortable. Try adjusting this in your device settings or within your browser. Many dyslexic readers find that slightly softer contrast pairs well with reduced brightness, making text easier on the eyes.
Use Dark Mode or Overlay Colours
Dark mode reverses the typical white background to a dark one, with light text instead. This cuts glare significantly because your eyes aren't working against a bright backdrop. Most websites and applications now offer dark mode in their settings. Enable it wherever you read regularly.
If a website doesn't have dark mode, consider using a colour overlay tool. Dyslexly is a free Chrome extension that applies colour overlays to any webpage, turning bright white backgrounds into softer tones like cream, blue, or green. These overlays reduce glare while making text stand out more clearly. Many dyslexic readers find this combination transforms their reading experience.
Colour overlays work because they reduce the contrast between the background and your screen light, lowering the brightness signal your eyes receive. You can adjust the overlay colour until you find what works best for you.
Position Your Screen Correctly
How you position your screen matters more than most people realise. If your monitor is too high, you tilt your head back and expose more of your eyes to overhead lighting. If it's too low, you lean forward, straining your neck and eyes.
Position your screen so that the top of the display is at or slightly below eye level when you're sitting normally. This reduces glare from ceiling lights and windows. Your screen should be about 50-70 centimetres away from your face, roughly an arm's length.
Angle your screen slightly downward, about 15-20 degrees below horizontal. This helps prevent reflections from overhead lights bouncing directly into your eyes. If you work near a window, position your desk so natural light comes from the side rather than hitting the screen directly.
Control Your Lighting Environment
The light around your screen is just as important as the screen itself. Harsh overhead lighting, bright windows, and poor room lighting all contribute to glare.
Start by reducing overhead lighting if you have it. Many offices and homes rely on bright fluorescent or LED ceiling lights. If you can, use a desk lamp with a warm, indirect light instead. Position this lamp so it illuminates your workspace without shining directly on or reflecting off your screen.
If you sit near a window, consider using blinds or curtains to control natural light. Sunlight reflecting off your screen is one of the worst sources of glare. You don't need to eliminate natural light entirely; just soften it or angle it so it doesn't hit your display.
Lighting that is warm rather than cool (think 3000K colour temperature rather than 5000K or higher) feels less harsh on the eyes and reduces that sensation of constant brightness.
Take Regular Breaks and Use the 20-20-20 Rule
Even with perfect glare reduction, reading online for hours without a break strains your eyes. This is especially true for dyslexic readers who already work harder to process text.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away. This gives your eyes a chance to relax and refocus. It's simple but remarkably effective at reducing fatigue.
When you take a break, close your eyes for a few moments. Step away from the screen entirely if you can. This prevents the eye strain that makes glare feel even worse.
If you're reading a longer document or article, break it into sections. Read for 20-30 minutes, then take a proper break. You'll notice less fatigue and better comprehension.
Use Reader-Friendly Tools and Extensions
Beyond adjusting your screen, specialised reading tools can make a huge difference. These tools combine multiple solutions for reducing glare and improving readability.
Dyslexly offers more than just colour overlays. It also includes OpenDyslexic font, which is specifically designed for dyslexic readers and can reduce the visual noise that makes glare feel worse. Text-to-speech functionality means you can listen rather than read, bypassing glare entirely. Line focus isolates the line you're reading, reducing the visual scatter that glare creates.
Other browser extensions offer similar functionality. Some provide customisable fonts, others focus on dark mode. The key is finding tools that work for you and your reading style.
Conclusion
Reducing glare when reading online isn't about finding one perfect solution, it's about combining several small adjustments until reading feels comfortable. Start with brightness and dark mode, then adjust your environment and screen position. Add breaks and specialised tools as needed. Everyone's eyes are different, and what works for one person might need tweaking for another. Give each change a few days before assessing whether it helps. With these steps in place, reading online can become far less exhausting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brightness level is best for reducing glare? Most people find 40-50% brightness comfortable for indoor reading, but this varies. Start lower and increase until text is clear without being uncomfortably bright. The goal is to match your room's ambient lighting.
Can blue light glasses help with glare? Blue light glasses reduce certain wavelengths but don't directly address glare from screen brightness or reflections. They may help some people feel less eye strain, but combining them with the methods above is more effective.
Is dark mode better than light mode for dyslexic readers? Dark mode reduces glare significantly and works well for many dyslexic readers, though individual preferences vary. Some prefer dark mode with a coloured overlay, others prefer light mode with an overlay. Experiment to find your preference.
How often should I clean my screen to reduce glare? Clean your screen weekly or whenever you notice dust or fingerprints. Dust and smudges scatter light and make glare worse. Use a microfibre cloth and avoid harsh chemicals.
Do tablet screens create more glare than laptop screens? Tablets have glossy screens that often reflect more light than matte laptop screens. If glare is a problem, position your tablet at an angle and use the same brightness adjustments you'd apply to a laptop.