Flourescent strip lights have more than 50% modulation at 100 (120) Hz and fairly peaky. Tungsten is nearer 20 and pretty sinusoidal at that (the square of sine wave is "1+cos" which is still a sinewave).

The energy saving bulbs have their own higher frequency circuit but I am not sure what kind of electronics they use. As far as I can tell there is no hint of flicker in peripheral vision. Peripheral vision evolved to be fast and vague to watch for danger hence you see flicker more out of the corner of your eye.

Another factor that can have an effect (and effect by association) is the colour or more specifically the spectrum. Tungsten looks more yellow because the spectrum is biased in the red and infra-red region. Flouresents have specific lines at the colours of phosphor mix. And nature and cost dictate a lot of that.

There are dimmers and bulbs that can cope together but we are back to cost again.