Is ASUS Eye Care Technology Just a Gimmick or Truly Effective?

ASUS Eye Care Technology is a term you’re likely to hear a lot these days, and for good reason. Our lives have never revolved around screens more than they do today. We work on computers for hours, watch entire seasons of shows on Netflix, and play games until the wee hours. Of course, this comes at a price.

Eye fatigue, dry eyes, headaches, blurry vision — this combination of symptoms has a name. It’s called Computer Vision Syndrome. ASUS claims that its Eye Care Technology helps reduce the amount of eye strain experienced when looking at a computer monitor for a long time. But are they just full of it? Or is there really something to this that can help protect your vision?

Let’s look more closely at ASUS’ blue light blocking and anti-glare features. We’ll also be comparing them to some third-party solutions. Ready? Let’s get right to it.

What is ASUS Eye Care Technology?

ASUS Eye Care Technology is a collection of features found in ASUS monitors. The main purpose of these features is to make long hours in front of a computer less taxing for the eyes. This set of features and specifications usually includes:

• TÜV Rheinland-certified Flicker-Free technology, or reduced flicker, to protect against headaches and eyestrain
• Blue Light Filter feature that blocks or minimizes emissions of harmful blue light
• Tilting, pivoting, and height-adjustable ergonomic designs for minimal neck and back strain
• Anti-glare coating to cut down on distracting reflections and potential eyestrain

These features are advertised on a wide variety of ASUS monitors. Gaming monitors, professional, and ASUS’ line of portable monitors use the ASUS Eye Care Technology logo on their boxes and websites.

But do these things work? And if so, does it matter what ASUS’s competitors are doing? It’s time to dig deeper into the science of ASUS’ claims, other companies that are doing the same thing, and what these features are actually like in the real world.

The Science Behind Blue Light and Flickering Screens

In order to analyze the effects that ASUS’ eye care technologies can have on our digital health, we first have to understand what screen watching does to the eyes.

1. Blue Light Exposure

Blue light is the light of shorter wavelength and higher energy. Blue light in the 415–455 nm range (nm is a unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter, used to measure the wavelengths of light) has been demonstrated to disrupt a user’s circadian rhythm and sleep cycle, leading to night-shift work disorders and long-term issues with eye health and comfort.

ASUS claims that it can reduce the amount of blue light emitted in four different, user-adjustable levels.

Blue light exposure during nighttime can be reduced, so that’s good news. It’s important to note that blue light is only partially bad. During the day, exposure to blue light has cognitive benefits, including alertness, memory retention, and concentration.

2. ASUS Flicker-Free Technology

Brightness in LCD monitors is adjusted through PWM, or Pulse Width Modulation. The light is not actually turned on and off, but rather it’s shown at a percentage of brightness and not at full capacity. This rapid dimming at lower levels is what creates flicker. This flickering is not something most of us will notice, but after a while, it can lead to fatigue and migraines, particularly in those who are susceptible.

ASUS’ Flicker-Free technology is certified by an independent lab (TÜV Rheinland) that has verified a flicker level of ≤ 0.3% or as close to 0% as you can get without actively turning the light completely off.

3. Ergonomics and Anti-Glare

Viewing your monitor at an odd angle, from an awkward distance, or with glare can contribute to eye and neck strain, backaches, and a host of other physical issues. ASUS’s Eye Care monitors are equipped with anti-glare coatings and full-featured ergonomic stands with tilt, pivot, and height adjustability to allow for full control over how a monitor is displayed.

Feedback From Real Users

You’ll see a lot of reviewers saying that they see “the difference” when comparing ASUS and other “Eye Care” or “Eye-Saver” certified monitors. Office workers claim that their eyes are less dry, and there’s no more headache at the end of the workday. Gamers note that ASUS’s flicker-free screens are far more comfortable to game on, even for longer sessions.

The comfort of your eyes is a subjective thing, and other factors in your environment can contribute to how “comfortable” your screen is. From other components such as color calibration, screen resolution, refresh rate, and even the temperature of the room your monitor is in can make an appreciable difference.

If you value high refresh rates for gaming and professional work that requires precision video editing or color grading, check out this pro-level gaming monitor which also features smooth framerates—a different but no less important feature for gamers and video editors concerned with eye fatigue from screen tearing or motion blur.

Are other Monitors Doing this too?

Of course they are. Other manufacturers like Dell, BenQ, and LG all have “blue light” and “flicker-free” monitors. BenQ’s own “Eye-Care” features for instance also block blue light and reduce flicker, as well as adjust screen colors to minimize eye fatigue. LG’s Reader Mode and other “Eye-care” features all do very similar things to ASUS.

ASUS’ main advantage is that it’s a feature that is found on the majority of its monitor line and has third-party TÜV Rheinland certification to back up its claims. Not all third-party certifiers are created equal though, so the TÜV test and certificate are a major plus.

Limits and Limitations of ASUS Eye Care Technology

Asus Eye Care Technology is not a cure-all. In some instances, it won’t solve all your issues. The following things should be taken into account if you plan to buy a monitor with ASUS’ technology:

1. It Won’t Fix Vision Problems or Dry Eyes

If you have pre-existing vision problems, dry eyes, or experience discomfort, it is important to visit your local optometrist.

2. Monitors May Not Have ALL the Eye Care Features

Asus’s Eye Care features are found on almost every monitor the company sells, but that doesn’t mean a bargain-basement ASUS monitor has all the bells and whistles. Make sure you read the specifications of any Asus you’re considering to make sure it has the features you’re looking for.

3. Blue Light Filters Can Alter Colors

Filters that block blue light cast a yellowish glow over the entire display. Graphic designers, photo editors, color professionals, or simply color-sensitive users may find this distracting or inaccurate.

ASUS Eye Care Technology vs. Third-Party Monitors

We took a look at some other companies with very similar features to ASUS to see how they compare:

• Dell has features that block blue light and has features that reduce flicker
• BenQ has blue light filters with adjustable brightness and flicker-free certifications, as well as proprietary “Eye Care” technology
• LG has blue light filters, a “Reader Mode” for more comfortable reading, and other color modes designed for eye comfort

We’ve collected data on the features that these manufacturers have and include it in the table below.

ASUS doesn’t necessarily have a leg up in any particular category, but its coverage of Eye Care features is among the best in the industry, making it a solid bet.

Home Office or Small Desk Solution

If you have a small desk setup at home, or just want a smaller screen that still uses ASUS’s Eye Care features, a 22 inch computer monitor might be a good fit. Compact ASUS monitors with eye care features are a good alternative for students, remote workers, or gamers who are looking to save space without having to sacrifice protection from eye strain and fatigue.

Gimmick or Genuine?

ASUS Eye Care Technology is no gimmick. It’s a collection of hardware and firmware features that work together to make monitor viewing a more comfortable experience for those who use them. It’s not going to restore your vision or completely eliminate eye strain, but it definitely helps, especially during the hours we spend staring at a screen every day.

Final ASUS Eye Care Technology Verdict

ASUS Eye Care Technology is a group of features on ASUS monitors that help reduce eye strain and fatigue during long computer usage sessions. ASUS is not the only monitor manufacturer offering similar features, but its coverage is among the best.

ASUS Eye Care Technology is worth looking at if you are a heavy user of monitors. Whether you’re a gamer, video editor, designer, or computer worker, ASUS’ technology is not a complete solution, but it’s a big step towards a more comfortable working experience.