If the computer recently started doing that but was fine before, then I'd say it's time for a new battery. Another possible culprit could be the cold weather. LCD displays often become unreadable at low temperatures.
Ya it seems that the battery was dead, but holonyak is very right with the whole polarized glass bit. When you have polarized lenses on, it distorts the view of the screen (it makes ipods look like they have cracked screens to me).