Long gaming or study sessions can leave eyes feeling tired, dry or strained. Eye doctors call it digital eye strain, and the good news is that simple habits help.
The rule
The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds.
It works because focusing on a screen up close keeps the eye muscles working hard, and we tend to blink less while concentrating. A short look into the distance gives the eyes a reset.
Set up the screen right
- Keep the screen roughly an arm's length away
- Have the top of the screen at or just below eye level
- Reduce glare from windows and lights
- Match screen brightness to the room
Make it part of the game
Twenty minutes can fly by mid-match, so tie the habit to natural pauses: between rounds, while a map loads, or at half-time in a football game. Many players find it easier when a parent, coach or teammate calls it.
When to see a professional
If headaches, blurry vision or sore eyes keep coming back, book an eye test. Some children simply need glasses, and an optometrist can check.
Eye-care breaks are built into Ascend sessions, alongside posture checks and movement. It's part of our wellness-first method; read more on our wellness page.
