20-20-20 method
Every 20 minutes, give your eyes 20 quiet seconds.
The 20-20-20 rule, recommended by the American Optometric Association, is the simplest evidence-based habit for reducing digital eye strain — and one of the few that actually sticks.
20
minutes of focus
After ~20 minutes of close-up work, ciliary muscle fatigue starts to show up as blurred or strained vision.
20
feet away (~6m)
Looking at something far away lets the lens relax fully — the equivalent of a stretch for your eyes.
20
seconds of pause
Long enough for the lens to reset and for tear film to redistribute. Short enough not to break flow.
How ScreenMedic helps
Breaks that arrive at the right moment.
- Adaptive timer — pauses when you step away, resumes when you return.
- Gentle, glanceable nudges instead of full-screen alarms.
- Tracks compliance over time so you can see your real habit, not your intended one.
- Pairs with eye-relaxation micro-exercises in the Recovery Center.