20-20-20 Rule (for eyes)
The “20-20-20 rule” for relieving eye strain (often caused by extended computer use) is that after 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at objects at least 20 feet away.
The 20-20-20 rule might have been created by Dean Evan Hart, who was a research scientist at Columbia University and director of the low-vision clinic at Harlem Hospital. In Newsday (Hempstead, NY) on March 22, 1998, Hart said, “When working with a computer, take a vision break every 20 minutes. (...) Look 20 feet or more away for 20 seconds to relax eye focusing and don’t stare. I call it my ‘20-20-20 rule.’”
“To avoid straining your eyes at work, use the 30-30 rule. After 30 minutes of work, quit your job and buy a 30 acre farm in the middle of nowhere” is a related joke.
Wikipedia: Dean Evan Hart
Dean Evan Hart, O.D., M.A., M.S. (Candidate in Bioethics), B.S., A.A.S., F.A.A.O. (born November 4, 1957) is an American scientist, clinical optometrist, professor, and the founder of Woodbury Ophthalmic Group and Woodbury Optical Studio.
Newspapers.com
22 March 1998, Newsday (Hempstead, NY), “A Visionary Of Preventive Care for Eyes” by Betty Ommerman, pg. G26, col. 3:
AS AN ASSOCIATE research scientist at Columbia University and director of the low-vision clinic at Harlem Hospital, Dean Hart has two concerns: eye problems caused by computers and eye problems caused by contact lenses. He believes both problems can be prevented.
(...)
“When working with a computer, take a vision break every 20 minutes,” Hart said. “Look 20 feet or more away for 20 seconds to relax eye focusing and don’t stare. I call it my ‘20-20-20 rule.’”
Newspaeprs.com
1 June 1998, Tallahassee (FL) Democrat, “In Brief,” pg. 3D, col. 2:
Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Don’t stare at a computer for more than 20 minutes. Try looking at something else that is at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break.
Newspapers.com
9 August 2001, The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC), “Sight for sore eyes” by Susan Kinzie, pg. 3E, col. 2:
Middendorf suggests a 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds, and look at something 20 feet away.
(Sharon Middendorf, an optics engineer for 3M.—ed.)
Newspapers.com
24 August 2002, The Herald (Bradenton, FL), sec. E, pg. 16, col. 1:
Computer Use & The 20-20-20 Rule
If you’re working all day on the computer, you can fend off eye strain by following the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes take a 20 second break to look away at objects at least 20 feet away…and you’ll reduce your chances of computer related vision problems.
(The Eye Associates.—ed.)
Newspapers.com
29 August 2002, The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan), “Eyecare & You,” pg. A11, col. 5 ad:
According to the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists, a good rule of thumb for a visual break from the computer is the “20-20-20” rule: for every 20 minutes of computer work, take a 20-second visual break by focusing on a distance of at least 20 feet.
X/Twitter
Thomas Han
@ThomasHan
being nice to my eyeballs by practicing the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
7:01 PM · Mar 10, 2008
X/Twitter
Liz
@Fyurae
@extralife Make sure to follow the 20/20/20 rule. For every 20 mins at a screen, look away at something at least 20 ft away for 20 secs.
5:44 PM · Jan 13, 2009
XX/Twitter
Ergo Nomic
@ergonomictimes
for your eyes apply the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes take a 20 second break (or longer) and focus on an object 20 feet away!
7:08 PM · Jan 27, 2009
Optometry Times
Deconstructing the 20-20-20 Rule for digital eye strain
February 22, 2018
Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, FSLS
Most optometrists have heard of the 20-20-20 Rule for preventing and relieving digital eye strain. The catchphrase suggests taking a 20 second break every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away.
Numerous sources now refer to it, including the American Optometric Association (Figure 1) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Maybe you, like many other eyecare professionals, offer this guidance to your patients. But have you ever wondered where this came from?
X/Twitter
Preserve Vision Florida
@PreserveVision
Want to reduce digital eye strain? Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break from your screen to look at an object 20 feet away. By incorporating these three simple steps, you can help prevent strain on your precious eyes.
1:00 PM · Mar 27, 2024