For IT professionals and general computer users, eyes strain due to prolonged computer use is a common problem. To protect your eyes from strain during your computer use, it is often recommended to follow some thumb rules.
Renowned Tech blogger Amit Agarwal has let us in on a secret he uses to prevent his eyes from damage (or at least prevent the damage) while he sits all day long on his computer. He fondly calls it the 20-20-20 rule with the name probably inspired by the 20-20 format of matches played in Cricket. Though the rule is pretty simple, to look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes.
Regardless of how simple the rule might sound, it is very difficult to follow simply because we often lose track of time while doing work on your computer. Though there are many softwares which can remind you of time intervals, the below freeware for Windows is specifically meant to prevent your eyes from straining while you type (or eat popcorn) furiously looking at your computer screen:
Eyes Relax:
This free software can remind you after specified amounts of time and can even fill your screen with a color of your choice for your desired period of time so that you just have to stop doing whatever you are doing and look away from the screen. This freeware automatically starts up at boot and you just need to set it once as per the 20-20-20 rule and Eyes Relax will take care of the rest. While the app is running, a taskbar icon will sleekly show you the time remaining for next alert. Right clicking gives some handy options like delaying the next break for 5 more minutes.
As the software is free, there is absolutely nothing that stops you from trying it out, so as to prevent eyestrain caused by use of computer for long durations. Download it from here.
If Eyes Relax doesn't match your taste, check out Eyes Defender or WorkRave. On a different note, if your display looks too bright to you even at its minimum brightness, give Dim Screen a try.
Renowned Tech blogger Amit Agarwal has let us in on a secret he uses to prevent his eyes from damage (or at least prevent the damage) while he sits all day long on his computer. He fondly calls it the 20-20-20 rule with the name probably inspired by the 20-20 format of matches played in Cricket. Though the rule is pretty simple, to look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes.
Regardless of how simple the rule might sound, it is very difficult to follow simply because we often lose track of time while doing work on your computer. Though there are many softwares which can remind you of time intervals, the below freeware for Windows is specifically meant to prevent your eyes from straining while you type (or eat popcorn) furiously looking at your computer screen:
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This free software can remind you after specified amounts of time and can even fill your screen with a color of your choice for your desired period of time so that you just have to stop doing whatever you are doing and look away from the screen. This freeware automatically starts up at boot and you just need to set it once as per the 20-20-20 rule and Eyes Relax will take care of the rest. While the app is running, a taskbar icon will sleekly show you the time remaining for next alert. Right clicking gives some handy options like delaying the next break for 5 more minutes.
As the software is free, there is absolutely nothing that stops you from trying it out, so as to prevent eyestrain caused by use of computer for long durations. Download it from here.
If Eyes Relax doesn't match your taste, check out Eyes Defender or WorkRave. On a different note, if your display looks too bright to you even at its minimum brightness, give Dim Screen a try.
