In the browser, my fix for this is to use a global stylesheet in Stylus (any other userstyle plugin would work) with some really simple CSS:

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {  
    img:not(:hover) {  
        filter: brightness(50%);  
    }  
}  

This halves the brightness of all images, unless you hover over them. The media query makes it only active when the global theme is dark. This really helps a lot with blinding white images, and for images that are already dark, or when you want the full contrast, you can easily just hover them to see the original.

With this simplistic CSS there could theoretically be clashes with a website’s native styling. I don’t think I’ve ever actually run into that in practice though.

On Lemmy, I just block users who post images with white backgrounds. They’re delightful users, but there aren’t that many of them, and it is worth it to keep my feed dark room friendly.

┐( ∵ )┌

If possible, don’t play in a completely dark room, have a dim light on, so your eyes are not as shocked when hitting a white screen.

It’s just a fact of life. I’m similar in that white screens hate me. I use my tablet in the evenings and the blue light filter and ultra dim modes help a lot. Still always an issue on some apps and web pages.

Yeah lower the brightness plus blue light filter

Lots of options, but the simplest is to lower the contrast and brightness values for your monitor. That will work on everything including images and video. You could also consider something like the redmode features of your OS and maybe even look at colour balance settings. If you take the curves and lower the highest bits you will selectively reduce brightness at the highest end without messing with less intense stuff too much. It looks a little weird but is easy enough to get used to.

Have you tried the bluelight filter most screens have?

Dimming the screen is really all you could do.

This question also just made me think about how a handful of newer games I’ve played have had lighting effects so realistic, it affects my eyes just like the real world. I’ve put my actual sunglasses on for some outdoor segments of a couple games recently lol