What Is the 20/20/20 Rule for Eye Strain?
Work Wellness

What Is the 20/20/20 Rule for Eye Strain?

|Sep 12, 2022
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To prevent a "burning" of the eyes, the 20/20/20 rule recommends resting your eyes. When you feel pain in your eyes, you want to rub them gently to prevent long-term effects that might affect your eyes' health. The prescription glasses also have several layers that filter out the light that reaches your eyes, some even specializing in the light emitted by screens.

What is the 20/20/20 Rule?

What is the 20/20/20 Rule?

In place of sitting in fixed positions for too long, the 20/20/20 rule for eyes encourages you to change your muscle position every 20 seconds. You should be able to adapt it to your own lifestyle, but it should be sensible. Holding your body in a fixed position for a long period of time causes pain. It is common for drivers to get out of their vehicles periodically.

The problem with computers is that they bind people to their desks for hours at a time without moving. If you observe people in front of a computer or phone, you will notice that they seldom blink. Spend 20 seconds looking away from something 20 feet away from you every 20 minutes you use a screen; that's how it gets the name - 20/20/20 rule for eye strain.

Why You Have Eye Strain?

Why You Have Eye Strain?

Especially with tablets, smartphones, and laptops, eye strain is a common complaint. Several symptoms are associated with eye strain, including headaches, irritability, watering, itching, redness, burning, dryness, inability to focus, swelling, dryness, and blurred vision.

Though your eyes are designed to work 24 hours a day, prolonged use of small things, such as working at a computer and using a mobile phone, causes eye strain even if you have the best computer chair for long hours. It is possible to prevent & treat eye strain with a few simple steps. If you suffer from eye strain, you will experience the following symptoms. In addition to long-term screening, long periods of reading cause eye strain.

  • It is possible to suffer from eye strain when you consume too much caffeine. Instead of drinking caffeinated drinks in bars and restaurants, try drinking them at home.
  • Your eyes and body will weaken if you do not drink enough water and fluids.
  • The effects of not eating well are felt in the form of skin problems, cognitive decline, and depression.
  • You will experience more pain and inflammation associated with eye strain when you don't exercise properly.
  • Your eyesight could be affected if you do not take enough breaks throughout the day.
  • When you don’t have the accessories that are good for your eyes, like our low blue light lamp

Mobile phones and laptops are commonly used these days, which makes it easy to get used to them. These problems will be very difficult to overcome unless you have a screen that doesn't strain your eyes or don’t have a 20/20/20 rule morning routine. The screens protect our eyes from dry eyes and red eye syndrome by providing eye protection.

How to Fix Eye Strain with 20/20/20 Rule

How to Fix Eye Strain with 20/20/20 Rule

The 20/20/20 rule states that whenever you find yourself staring at your screens next to your computer desk lamps, then you should limit that time. Taking a 20-minute break from the screen and looking away from anything at least twenty feet from you or your desk is a good practice. Look at that object for twenty seconds - as long as it's not another screen!!

This mechanism allows you to care for your eyes and reduce their strain. There is no requirement to have the exact measurement, even though the twenty-foot distance is specified. Don't pay attention to those things that are far away from you; focus on those that are closest to you.

The building or tree outside your window could also be the culprit. A break outside can be a great option if you work in a smaller space. Twenty seconds is all it takes for your eyes to reset and relax. This is another way to keep your eyes healthy. You can even get up to drink water during that time.

Catechins, a compound in green tea that helps your eyes produce more tears, make green tea a recommended drink. Working can sometimes lead to forgetting your twenty-minute break deadline. Whenever you need a break, set up a reminder.

Does the 20/20/20 Rule Work?

Does the 20/20/20 Rule Work?

The dry eye symptoms usually appear two hours after exposure to the environment. Taking frequent breaks and going outside, as well as drinking water or tea as you like, are also the best ways to remember to do so.

As a result of the method, your eyes remain in pristine condition, you remain hydrated, and your mind and body are refreshed. In addition, we've noted that this method of caring for your eyes is very easy to do and can be customized to meet your individual needs.

Using Ergonomic Tools for Better Posture

Using Ergonomic Tools for Better Posture

You can elevate your PC screen using a monitor arm attached to your desk. You can raise and tilt the screen with this arm from our Autonomous employee purchase program to reduce eye strain. This arm lifts the PC screen off your desk and frees up desk space for your office accessories or even that cup of green tea, perhaps?

You can adjust the monitor's placement, height, and tilt with a monitor arm to provide the best visual ergonomics. The monitor can help you to maintain the right monitor distance so that you can comfortably see the screen without tilting your head too far up or down. Even better, you can place it in such a way that you won't get glare from ambient lights in the area (either behind you or in front of you).

Regularly taking breaks from your screen use is a good idea. The "20-20-20" rule recommends spending at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes looking at something that is more than 20 feet away. It's not important to hit these numbers exactly; taking regular breaks from close-up visual work is important.

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