The 20-20-20 Rule: Does It Actually Work? An Optometrist Explains

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You’ve probably heard it: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s the most-repeated piece of eye health advice on the internet, recommended by everyone from ophthalmologists to tech bloggers.

How Your Desk Setup Is Affecting Your Eyes (From an Optometrist Who Sees It Every Day)

I’m an optometrist. Five days a week, patients sit in my exam chair and tell me the same story: “My eyes feel tired by 3 PM.” “I get headaches in the afternoon.” “Everything gets blurry after staring at my screen for a few hours.” “My eyes feel dry and gritty.”

And almost every time, before I even check their prescription, I ask: “Describe your desk setup.”

The answer tells me more than they expect.