What sort of computer monitor will cause the least eye strain? And
what setting on that monitor would cause the least eye strain. My
eyesight is 20/20 or better but recently I have had to wear glasses to
read. My reading glasses prescription is 1.25. I do not need reading
glasses to see my computer monitor at this time, but I have noticed my
eyes are strained when I am in front of my monitor for a long
time--which is often. On my desktop I have plently of room so I do not
need a flat panel monitor to save space...but I would get one if a
flat panel monitor would cause less eye strain. I want to buy the best
monitor to minimize eye strain and am willing to buy the largest
monitor possible if that is what I need to do.

businesscoach...

I work exclusively online, and am looking at a computer
screen for the majority of hours I'm awake. While taking
breaks to let your eyes look out the window at a distance,
and blinking frequently, and eye-nourishing exercises like
"palming" can be very helpful, you're right to insist on
the best possible technology, in addition.

The very best dissertation I've seen on the comparative
characteristics of monitors and video cards, and how they
combine to affect user comfort and prevent eyestrain, is
on this page, on the Iron Horse website:
http://www.ih-online.com/video.html

This comprehensive page covers the topic so thoroughly
that there is really little I can add.

The summary at the bottom is what I would tell you, from
experience, in choosing a monitor:

"Resolution     As high as possible     Clarity
 Dot Pitch      As low as possible      Clarity (match dot pitch)
 Refresh Rate   >=70Hz                  More stable image
 dpi            As high as possible     Greater productivity
 Screen size    17"                     larger viewing area
 Radiation      MPRII or TCO            Low radiation"
http://www.ih-online.com/video.html#General%20Recommendations

I recommend a refresh rate of 100Hz or more, and a Dot Pitch
of .24 or less.


A monitor which meets and exceeds all these specs, and has
great reviews, is the Mitsubishi/NEC DP2070SB-BK. The lowest
price I found on Froogle was $598.64, at SecureMart.com :
http://www.securemart.com/cgi-bin/future/SM300180?mv_session_id=Ft8HU7PE&mv_pc=7&mv_specials=&mv_stock=&mv_arg=p

You might be able to find its predecessor, the Mitsubishi
Diamond Pro 2020u, for sale, used. Here are reviews on ciao!:
http://www.ciao.ie/Mitsubishi_Diamond_Pro_2020u__19085


A less expensive, and slightly smaller (18" viewable screen)
option is the one I currently use, the ViewSonic E90fb:
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/crtmonitors/e2series/e90fb/

Another maker of extremely flat-screen, glare-free, high
resolution monitors (that I've had the pleasure of using)
is KDS. Their current selection of CRT monitors is here:
http://www.kdsusa.com/crt/

Of course, you may be able to find newer versions of ViewSonic
by exploring their website, and you may find less expensive
places to purchase either ViewSonic or KDS monitors by 
searching on Froogle:
://www.google.com/froogle


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Additional information may be found from an exploration of
the links resulting from the Google searches outlined below.

Searches done, via Google:

"best monitor OR settings" "decreased eyestrain"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22best+monitor+OR+settings%22+%22decreased+eyestrain%22

"best monitor OR settings" "decrease eyestrain"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22best+monitor+OR+settings%22+%22decrease+eyestrain%22

Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 2020u
://www.google.com/search?q=Mitsubishi+Diamond+Pro+2020u

Viewsonic E90fb
://www.google.com/search?q=Viewsonic+E90fb

KDS Avitron
://www.google.com/search?q=KDS+Avitron


Froogle searches:

Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 2070SB CRT
://www.google.com/froogle?q=Mitsubishi+Diamond+Pro+2070SB+CRT&btnG=Search+Froogle&scoring=p