

Nearly 90 percent of the students had symptoms of computer vision syndrome. The result? Dry and tired eyes, blurred vision, headaches and neck and shoulder pain – all of which make up computer vision syndrome.Ī study conducted of five Malaysian Universities examined 795 students who used computers.

For regular screen users, the frequency reduces to as little as five times a minute. Humans blink 15 times every minute on average. But you’re likely to experience some eye problems like blurring vision and strain. Supported by ResearchĪccording to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, looking at screens for prolonged periods does not cause permanent eye damage. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association endorse using the 20-20-20 rule as a method of reducing eye strain. According to Optometry Times, it was developed by an optometrist as a method of taking frequent breaks from staring at a computer screen or other digital device to reduce eye strain. The 20-20-20 rule was not devised by laypeople. This will help to get you moving, as sitting for extended periods of time is also detrimental to your health.

During this break, look at something else that is about 20 feet away. You should take a 20-second break from looking at your digital device or your computer screen every 20 minutes. One way to reduce eye strain from spending long periods of time staring at a digital device is to use the 20-20-20 rule.Īccording to the American Optometric Association, the simple rule says that for every 20 minutes you spend looking at a digital device or computer screen, you should look at something else that is 20 feet away for a period of 20 seconds. In the future, research studies may reveal some surprising connections between eye strain, the use of computers and digital devices, and visual disorders. There may also be a connection between chronic eye strain and the development of age-related macular degeneration, a serious eye disease that can affect your vision significantly (particularly central vision, or the ability to see and focus on objects in the center of your visual field). The long-term effects of staring at digital screens are not well studied, but the glare from the screens could conceivably contribute to the development of myopia, or nearsightedness. In a survey, The Vision Council found that over half of the parents surveyed reported that their children experience the symptoms of eye strain related to the use of digital screens. Your eyes need to take a break from time to time in order for them to function most efficiently.

You can liken eye strain to remaining in the same position for hours at a time. The following are symptoms of eye strain: Many people stare at computers for hours a day, increasing the risk that they will develop significant eye strain. Mayo Clinic reports that the use of digital devices and computers is among the most common causes of eye strain. In addition to the 20-20-20 rule, there are other approaches to prevent or reduce eye strain, such as using eye drops and adjusting screen brightness. There is even research to support its use. The 20-20-20 technique is simple, and it works. You can apply the rule very easily on a regular basis. One effective approach to dealing with eye strain as a result of using digital devices to use the 20-20-20 rule. The symptoms of eye strain can be distressing and may have long-term consequences. Eye strain is one of the consequences of living in the digital age.
