Seems fixed.

Aside from the clean driver install, I've scaled the desktop to 125% because 1440p on a 25" monitor at the desktop looks quite small but looks fantastic in games. 100% sRGB is extraordinarily bright, so I brought it down to 50% brightness and it's easier on the eyes. I was debating on whether to return it and save up for the XB271HU or continue to keep it.

AA in any game at that resolution is pointless and at that size. Even 1x in Crysis 3 felt like something higher because the PPI is great.

Has anyone with a 60 Hz IPS screen experienced eye strain / sore eyes even when just looking at a solid background?

Although I was getting great FPS and the colours were fantastic, I cannot stand the eye strain and need to take the Acer H257HU back. Surprisingly, my previous TN panel didn't give me these issues.

Can anyone else verify that a higher Hz IPS panel would fix this (even when just looking at the desktop or a web page) or might it be the nature of the LED backlight or ...?

No one? Lol.

I might have a conclusion: the brightness (or lack thereof) of my room makes the monitor seem like an eyesore. I've been reading people suggesting putting an ambient light behind the monitor to balance the light out. That, or the monitor is too small and several other factors as listed previously...

NazcaC2
No one? Lol.

I might have a conclusion: the brightness (or lack thereof) of my room makes the monitor seem like an eyesore. I've been reading people suggesting putting an ambient light behind the monitor to balance the light out. That, or the monitor is too small and several other factors as listed previously...

That makes sense, both on my Swift and the other half's Monitor (model escapes me right now, higher end 1080p Samsung purchased 3 Christmas's ago) both caused eyestrain at first, until we both adjusted the brightness settings, she also purchased a small lamp.  Now she swears by the monitor, and no issues at all.

Thanks, Dave. What do you set your brightness at? (even though all monitors are different)

Meh. Slow button response. Sorry lol.

No problem
No problem
No Problem 
 
I believe my Swift is around 70%, the other half's I think is around 35%, she says my Swift is too bright, but then again, her glasses are thick, like the bottom of a glass soda bottle, so bright light from screens REALLY jumps out at her.
 
*edit*
Oh yeah, I also had to turn down my gamma a bunch for my Swift as well.  Now, no eye strain, and wow other monitors look laggy after 144Hz.

My gamma default is 2.2. I can only toggle between 2.2 and 1.8. I'll give 35% brightness a try too. As above, I was thinking about returning it and later getting the Acer XB271HU G-Sync monitor (also 2K), despite the price lol. I like 2K.

I run my Swifts brightness at 26% with contrast at 50%.  Looks very good...

I prefer a general light behind me giving ambient to the room , not on the desk.
 
If I go dark in the room, the monitors have to be turned way down.
 
Don't forget to blink while gaming.