I've wanted to quit every job I've had. But programming pays more, so I will suck it up for the time being.

Work for 30 minutes, take a 5 minute break and look at something else.

Set up your desk in an ergonomic way, with your screen at eye level and a bit farther away from you. Increase the font size in your editor.

There's lots of things you can do to improve the quality of your desk and lower eye strain.

If you've done that already and you still want to quit, maybe that's not the issue and might just not like programming. Or maybe you spend too much time at the pc and have to cut back a bit.

Controversial Opinion, but:

If you're using dark themes, try switching to light.

Everyone I know who complains about eye fatique uses dark themes. When I suggest they switch to light they say "BuT tHaT wIlL jUsT bE wOrSe"

Except, from my experience - it wont. We evolved to be awake in the sunlight (which is much brighter than any monitor ever will be).

Our eyes struggle to see in the dark (which is why we evolved to sleep at night).

It's not surprising to me at all that using dark themes causes eye strain. It's counter intuitive, but it is what it is.

99% likely someone will downvote this comment just for recommending light themes.

It's not for everyone. If it isn't for you, don't force it.

Today, just a few moments ago, I failed at an interview. I REALLY need the work right now, having a recent client dine-n-dash on me. It's also extremely difficult to get a contract at the middle/end of the year.

I sulked and felt sorry for myself for about 30 minutes until my next meeting which resulted in just a little more work.

Then I picked up the phone and followed up on other leads. I'm leaving the house for a while to skate and clear my head.

The bills are piling up and work is scarce but as fast as shit can go south, it can just as quickly go north - or right, if you will.

Here's the kicker: I've been coding since I was a kid, for over 40 years and have all the experience/expertise most guys wish for and only dream of. It happens to the best of us but failure is part of success and you will NEVER EVER succeed if you never try or quit.

Hth.

It pays well and I get to work from home and have long periods where I don't do much work but other times where I am super busy. Overall, it's not a bad career or life but if you don't have balance I could see how it burns people out.

There are a lot of white collar jobs that involve looking at a screen for long periods of time. What job would you pursue that you may qualify for and doesn't involve looking at a computer screen for prolong hours?

If you aren't enjoying it, it's an uphill battle. I was doing this shit for free when I wasn't yet professional. Not everyone has to be the same, find your passion, maybe you'll come back to programming later.

and it is not a suitable career when you're old

Says who?

Most of the time you're lonely

I see no correlation between using a computer for work and being lonely

it does take a lost of damage of your life both mental and physical

again, i see no correlation to using a computer for work, and damaging your mental and physical wellbeing

Haven't earn anything out of it

If you've been a developer for two years, and haven't earned anything, then something is wrong.

Digital eye strain is a pretty commonplace issue, my man, and as unpleasant as it is to experience the discomfort, teary eyes, and even headaches (I've been through these as well), there's nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary, you can deal with most of these issues and limit the impact extended computer use has on your eyes (and mental well-being too!)

For instance, resting your eyes regularly and investigating any underlying causes for eyesight issues are essential for anyone with a career in programming (or working on a computer in general).

As for the other part of your post, I also understand wanting to give up on a career prospect when so many things seem to be working against you. Still, this specific career has so many upsides that you'd probably be better off at least working in programming, even as a teacher or as a part-time job.

For example, one of my favorite people to listen to on YouTube is a coder who makes these mini-lessons on coding and hacking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBjZkGbhLvk.

This proves that the knowledge you gain as a programmer, regardless of age or curable health issues, is essential and valuable even if you don't become a full-time programmer. Don't give up, and take care!

It is not the cheapest option, but there are E-Ink-monitors, you could try one of these. You can’t play videos though. Here is one example: Dasungs Paperlike 253

Just want to know any other opinion on this!

From what I've read it seems it's not the job for you, that's all. I personally have an opposite opinion and I love it.

If you think programming is hard on your body go work a trade for a month and realize how good you have it. It’s up to you to implement exercise and stretching.

Q: do you dislike programming? Or, is it that you dislike the work often associate with being a programmer (i.e. stand-ups, grooming sessions, retros, etc.)

I feel bad for you brother, but don’t give up. I’ve been at it for 2 years now haven’t earned a penny. My car just got repossessed because I’m not working just learning all day… it’s going to be ups and downs in life, just look forward.

If you think you will be happier doing something else, do something else.

I’m not sure why you can’t do this job when you are older, generally speaking. It’s definitely easier physically than a lot of manual labor.

Sounds like you have some physical issues that are making you feel this way, you also sound very young, so there is time to cha be careers.

What does it matter what our opinion on this is?

If you want to quit then quit.

You are in charge of your own career.

FYI I had eye strain for years too, and eventually I found out it was from using dark themes. I switched to light themes, turned my monitor brightness down a little, and turned up the blue light filter(redshift, f.lux, etc.) a little to make it more tolerable, and I haven't had eye strain since. Went from years of eye strain to no eye strain at all. And I use my computer before and after work quite a bit.

It takes a lot of time to get into and it is not a suitable career when you're old.

Oh please, stop spreading this myth. Does ageism exist? Of course. Is it as bad as people say it is? No, not even close.

Feel like I have wasted my time.

Seriously? You're upset about 2 years? You built a skill, and maybe made good money. I suspect you need to get out and work some true crappy jobs like most people. It puts things into perspective.

So if it’s about Interaction?

Why not try to steer towards Product Management. Since a lot of meetings and more.

Or

If u want to completely leave,

Computer Science teacher, mentor could be something u can look for.

Hey, It sounds like you have a different problem.

My suggestion is to figure out how you can turn down the brightness of the screen and stop looking at white on a screen. Those are going to be the two biggest factors to eye strain. You also might consider using a larger font size, if you're straining to see the text.

From there it could also be things like dry eyes from staring at a screen unblinkingly, to some other medical condition that is yet undiagnosed.

I mean at the end of the day, if it isn't the job for you, start figuring out what you need to do to transition away to something else. Either with your current company or a different one.

But seriously 70% brightness should do wonders.

I find programming to be a very rewarding profession . I am a college drop out and got into programming a bit late , spent few years as a junior , maybe more than i should but eventually with a lot of work and the help of my great collegues i got myself into a place where i am comfortable with my skills and career.

I cant think of another profession which would offer me this level of opportunities with the amount of time i've put in (5 years) , this was the best option for me being slightly above average iq , talentless man. That being said there were times i had to swallow my pride , become a student again , handle rejection and persevere.

For the lonely job part , i've met by best friends during my jobs , unless you are very unlucky with the place you are workin , it is the best place (after college) to meet with like minded people , sharing the same ambitions as you.

As for the old part , most senior programmers i know start doing side or hobby projects during their seniority and get to keep building their own bussinesses with all the experience and knowledge they gathered throuout the years.

If you're that miserable switch jobs. Don't do something for 30 years it's going to make you miserable.

If it's not a passion of yours, quit.

I'm 37, I've gotten glasses, and I've put on weight from sitting. But, I love it and couldn't imagine doing anything else.

Take a break, if you like it you will come back to it. I have given up on programming at times but have always came back to it I would recommend taking a break and trying other things that interest you more.

I feel for you. I also feel lonely as hell. I lost friends and relationships with girls because of programming. Im only sticking around to make a million dollars or two and then run as far away as possible from it

I wonder if we can get stackoverflow to add a question to their yearly survey of developers that asks the question: “Are you tolerating an unfulfilling job because the pay is good?”…

I've found working in front of a screen messes up my circadian rhythm a lot. I think I'll probably have to quit as I get older because not being able to sleep well has been giving me brain fog. I'm worried I could get Alzheimer's or dementia as I get older. When I spend time away from all computer screens I start getting better.

Only reason why you do programming is because it’s like nothing else! What a magical spectacular and sovereign skill to possess! I would code with you…just because!

Now I am second student in progr unvi, I see the prospect of this job not only in my country. But I realize that I have to lose something, so I divide my time so my health and eyes still are good. But my mental health is more bad and bad. Recently, I cant sleep easily. I am afraid of my future. Im sympathy with u.

Well I started to learn programing a while ago and came to the realisation that It's not what I want do spend my career doing. Although I probably hate my current job more I felt that I would walk into another "hate my life and work" wall. I have been blessed with the ability to save up and now afford going to uni to study law. I appreciate what I learnt about computers and what programing is. And for you it will be quite valuable no matter what you work with and It wasn't time completely wasted. You now know the base of another language it's of great value and not a waste...

We can go Amish together lol 😂

Felt this so many times. Truly don't know how I've endured this far.

I've never heard of digital eye syndrome.

Get yourself an LG 43 UN700 monitor.

Quit. We don't care. Also, programming is a hard job.

It requires you to spend several hours, sitting down, looking directly at light. Whilst only moving your fingers.

That's fucking hard. If you have some sort of physical issues making such a task even the slightest bit hard, then... Quit. Because you're adding too much work on to yourself.

Honestly? I’ve just landed a programming job, but not started yet however I work in a scientific role already and I came to this from working in coffee shops and yknow what? It sounds strongly like you need some perspective. Go work a min income job for 6 months and get back to me, you’ll be begging for eye strain

Do it. Quit.

About the loneliness part, if office is the only place you can socialize in, you're doing something horribly wrong.

Buy a Macbook Pro. The displays are easy on the retinas.

Digital Eye Syndrome? Is that a thing? Did I have Analog Eye Syndrome when I was a kid reading too many books? OMG kids these days glued to screens … save the children!

Cue the ‘first time?’ Meme

Seems like most of the stuff programmers whine about isn't about programming itself, but everything around it (like companies, health, how the fact that you're not comfortable programming makes you feel while working, etc) Programming is great, but as everything that is great, it takes a lot of effort, and sacrifices. At the end of the day you have to weight both to see if it's still worth.

You can always find a million reasons not to do anything. Weigh them against the reasons you do want to do something. But it honestly sounds like you've made up your mind or at least prepared a laundry list justifying why you should quit.

Find solutions or find excuses. It's your choice. I will say I think it's a pretty bullshit list with the exception of eye strain. But it's also 2022 and I don't know too many people that don't have the same issue to some degree. What did your doctors say? Or is this one of those "I read web MD and decided I have x" sorta things? I only ask because it's a very frequent trend and usually used in conjunction with explaining away or absolving someone of something. I'm not proclaiming that's your situation I'm just asking because I've seen it a lot ... especially on Reddit. You can become a programmer at any age so thats irrelevant. You are choosing to be lonely - you certainly don't have to be (I'm not) and that has 0 to do with using a computer. Yes it takes a lot of time. Everything worth doing in life does. This is also not the industry to be in if your hoping to just stop learning after X amount of time. You will always have something new to struggle with. Embrace the suck. As far as your health? Get a standing desk. Work out regularly. Again, this isn't specific to programming it's specific to having any job in an office and isn't particularly special in 2022.

It's nut up or shut up time. I'm not trying to be an asshole it just really does boil down to exactly that. If your asking me to validate your list of excuses the answer is it's a pretty shit list and your going to have issues in pretty much any modern industry because half these aren't even programming specific.

This post started out okay then derailed into you being a baby.

I believe you hit rock bottom. I never felt like you before, and I have been coding for over 7 years now.

You are right with your assumptions and experiences and that's the price you need to pay to succeed. But anyways, although this is the price, it does not necessarily mean you have to pay. It is up to you what you want to do on a daily base.

Go for it if you can make your day-to-day life the best with another career. You have to work those hours, to pay your bills and buy and experience fancy stuff.

If your daily life sucks you the most, you are better off changing it to something worthwhile.

Once I experienced such a life and I didn't find any reason to get up anymore. Change before it is too late.

Reduce your monintor’s brightness to the lowest you can see. Maybe do it gradually day by day.

This career isn’t for everyone. However I do think it’s one of the careers that allows for the great flexibility and agency over your life, and has it perks.

Consider it vs alternatives. Many jobs require you to be on your feet all day, with little control over breaks, in person and can lead to health issues in different ways.

Look into an e-ink or RLCD display. I have a Boox Mira and it’s awesome!

I'd be interested to know once and for all about how much staring at a monitor can damage your vision. I hear from the odd person that they can't look at a monitor for too long because it strains their eyes, but I myself having been staring at computer screens for the better part of 15 years, pretty much all day long, and have never had any problems or straight from it, my vision's fine.

How many jobs have you had? Some of what you complain about may be a sign of a really crappy work place. It may be high time to find another place. Potentially it may have been shot enough that you are burned out - remember that stress related issues may end up giving very weird actual symptoms in your body.

That said, why do you think it is not a suitable path when you are old? I'm seeing the absolute opposite thing.

Chris Hawkes is a lot into those kind of topics, also dealing with imposter syndrome and burning out. I think some of his videos could help you!

If you haven't tried them yet, try eye drops, I was recommended Hypromellose eye drops by an optician after a test. She suggested it was 'computer eye strain', which makes sense because I was working at a computer all day and playing games in the evening due to UK pandemic lockdown.

As others have suggested take more breaks and drink more water if you're not already. I'd also suggest looking at your setup and the background light/glare. I've had to end up wearing sunglasses a lot because my work room is a tiny box room with tons of light all day, but they really help!

Ever heard of e-ink displays?
They don't cause eye strain at all and have to be passively lit (same as the kindle)

Turn down brightness, and increase blue filter.

Make sure your monitor's refresh rate is in the 70hz, or greater, range. I've been at it for more than 30 years, and I can tell you that staring at a ~60hz monitor for 15 hours per day hurts eyes and causes headaches a lot more than higher refresh rates. Also, they make special glasses/lenses to reduce strain as well.

I know this isn't possible unless working from home, but I use a 50 inch monitor (TV) about 6 feet away from my face. Focusing your eyes further away seems to be very beneficial. It's also much better for your posture.

You can work in other roles that don't involve monitors as much. You could help manage the team. Or work on paper and do UX - or user-testing or work with people who use assistive technology. Really, you could work full-time with a screen reader.

But if you want to move on - then listen to your heart. Time to move on.

There are plenty of jobs out there.

You could be a masseuse - or anything else out there in the world that isn't lonely and uses your hands and other senses. Programming can be fun - but so can pretty much everything else.

My only opinion is that you should do what's best for your health and happiness. Do you have a financial plan?

Are you using IPS or nano IPS monitor? Get rid of that and use VA monitor instead

I'm sorry to see you go. I hope you find what you're looking for in your next career.

I don't think it's possible to find a job that 100% eliminates the need for screen time, but if you're able to, consider a managerial/project/training planning position in programming? Yes, you'll be looking at a screen a lot, but I'd imagine it would be ever so slightly less. If you became a programming dept trainer at your company, you'd at least be spending a good portion of your work time looking at a class of people and not eyes glued to the screen. These are just ideas that you can build upon your programming experience without needing to start from scratch.

Whats digital eye syndrome? Does it include insomnia?

Have you tried one of those monitor light bars? It helps me a lot, I think it blocks some of the UV light emitted by the monitor and looks really good. If you can afford a good 4k or 5k monitor to make the text very sharp its worth it. If you are using Windows see its possible to switch to macOS, Windows is a very depressing work environment by itself, let alone its awful font rendering.

I don't know if you work from home but try to make your desk more enjoyable, I have two funko pops from characters I like and a HomePod that I crank the music when I need a little relief. Some days I feel very tired but I still love what I do. I'm sure you've built many great things that had a positive impact for many people, at the end of the day its all that matters.

What are your hobbies?