There is growing exposure to screen time nowadays in different jobs, and even those not working have to stare at a screen somehow. Although this is the modern way of life, too much screen time might affect your eyes. 

Researchers find a solution to the problem of extended screen time 

Interestingly, researchers from Aston University have established a strategy called the 20-20-20 rule that can rest your tired eyes. According to the new strategy, researchers recommend looking away from the screen for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes and ensuring you look 20 feet away. Researchers say the strategy can help ease eye issues associated with extended screen time. 

Researchers tested the new 20-20-20 rule on participants for two weeks monitoring their gaze and measuring eye symptoms at the start and after. It is the first time researchers are validating this eye-relief strategy. 

According to recent estimates, around 50% of people who work on computers have some kind of digital eye irritation, which typically causes irritability, dryness, migraines, or impaired vision. Humans typically blink 15 times per minute, but when they look at a screen, their blinking frequency typically lowers to half that amount or fewer. Less blinking increases the likelihood of dry, itchy, and fatigued eyes.

Applying the 20-20-20 rule reduces eye strain symptoms 

Interestingly according to the latest study, one can deal with this problem by taking 20 seconds to look somewhere for the eyes to relax and reduce the strain. Researchers tested the rule on 29 subjects that were experiencing eye strain. Special software was installed in each participant’s computer, and it was used to see if participants were sitting in front of the screen and track their gaze direction. After every 20 minutes, the software would inform users to look away for 20 seconds at an object 20 feet away.

Subjects’ symptoms of digital eye strain were assessed before, after two weeks of applying the rule, and one week following the end of the study. Overall, the findings point to a significant reduction in eye strain signs such as sensitivity, dryness and discomfort.