I find the contrast of a white background to be very straining on the eyes.

I'd suggest a light blue color (the one simular to the old TMD)

If you go to your profile settings, you can select any of a wide number of themes. I've found that they don't persist between sessions for some reason, but as long as you don't go to a different tab or close your browser it'll stay. The "Superhero" theme is what I'm using, and it has an easy-to-read white-on-blue scheme.

tried it, thanks!

You have to hit save at the bottom of your settings in order for the options to persist to your next session.

It looks like the Superhero skin is blue background.

Ok, i would still suggest adding options with ligher colors. Both very dark and very bright background is painful to watch.