Happy eyes in 20/20/20

The average American spends seven hours a day looking at a screen. Watching TV, reading on a tablet or cruising the Internet on a smartphone are ways that many people relax; however, our eyes are taking a beating—so much so that there is a name for it: digital eye strain. 

Those who suffer from digital eye strain (or computer vision syndrome) can experience dry eyes, blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain and headaches. If you spend more than two hours a day sitting at a computer or looking at a digital device, you're more likely to be affected.

Luckily, symptoms are temporary for most people and lessen shortly after you shut down the the device. For many, computer work is a fundamental part of their job, and turning it off isn't an option. Follow the 20-20-20 rule to keep your eyes strong and healthy:

Take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes. 

Print this graphic and hang it at your desk or in your office as a reminder.

It's important to act on changes in your vision by scheduling an appointment with an eye doctor. Vision problems that go uncorrected can make digital eye strain symptoms worse.