Final answer:
The difference between 50Hz and 60Hz refresh rates on a 4K monitor is minor, and many users may not notice a difference. A higher refresh rate can help reduce eye strain, but factors like screen brightness and duration of use are also significant to eye comfort.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether a 50Hz refresh rate is noticeably worse for the eyes compared to a 60Hz refresh rate on a 4K monitor is somewhat subjective but can be explained by how flicker and screen refresh rates affect visual comfort and perception.
A higher refresh rate generally means that the screen is updated more frequently, which can reduce flicker and therefore may decrease eye strain and fatigue.
However, the difference between 50Hz and 60Hz is relatively small, and many users might not notice a significant difference in day-to-day usage. The more noticeable differences in eye comfort typically occur at refresh rates lower than 50Hz, or when the high resolution of a 4K monitor is poorly scaled leading to tiny, hard-to-read text.
It is also worth considering that other factors, such as screen brightness, ambient lighting, screen time duration, and individual eye health, play a significant role in eye comfort.
Therefore, while refresh rate is one aspect of visual experience, it should be considered alongside these factors.