If you’re like us, you spend an average of 40 hours per week looking at your screen. Be it your phone, laptop, or television, your eyes are glued to various devices for long periods of time. This doesn’t always include the time spent checking your social media, either. It’s crazy, I know. Because screens are here to stay, we want you to adjust to this new normal in the healthiest possible way. Enter, the 20-20-20 rule. This rule was created to help ease the eye strain associated with long periods of screen time. We break it down for you below.
What’s 20-20-20?
20-20-20 is a technique developed by doctor of optometry, Dr. Jeffrey Anshel. The technique is comprised of a 20 second break, to look at an object that’s 20 feet away, at the 20 minute mark of screen time. It was created as a response to increased patient complaints about late day headaches, and vision problems. The one common factor linking these patients together was their time spent in front of a screen. Dr. Anshel decided to dig deeper, and read up on studies that, according to his research, “found benefits for shorter, more frequent breaks for musculoskeletal disorders.” He applied this information to the visual system, thus creating 20-20-20.
Do I Need 20-20-20?
That depends. While symptoms of eye strain vary in severity, there are some tell tale signs. If you struggle with any of the following symptoms, we encourage you to speak to an eye care specialist for further examination.
*Your eyes feel sore, heavy, and/or burn.
*Your eyes water more frequently, or get more dry.
*You experience blurred, or double, vision.
*You experience a sore neck, have an increased sensitivity to light, and/or have difficulty concentrating.
Conclusion
POP THE PIXEL is a creative studio that’s rooted in graphic design, and we know that long periods of screen time are mandatory. Since there’s no escaping our devices, we encourage you to try the 20-20-20 rule to ensure optimal eye health. As with anything dealing with your health, please consult a professional first. We hope that this post helps you to see things more clearly moving forward.
Speaking of graphic design, are you in the market for a new website design, logo, or maybe something else for your brand? If so, call 323-848-4465 or send us an email for your free consultation.
About the Author of This Post
Nazanin Nour is an actor and writer based out of Los Angeles who likes to make people laugh. You can follow her multiple personalities on Twitter @NazaninNour, Instagram @frecklednaz, and subscribe to her YouTube channel.