What is the recommended way to alleviate computer-related eye strain?

Looking away from the computer monitor frequently is a key technique to alleviate computer-related eye strain. This practice, often called the "20-20-20 rule," suggests that after every 20 minutes of looking at a screen, a person should look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This allows the eye muscles to relax and reduces fatigue caused by prolonged focus on a screen.

Frequent breaks help to refresh the eyes and can reduce overall discomfort associated with long hours of use. This is essential in preventing the symptoms of digital eye strain, which may include dryness, irritation, and blurred vision. Employing this technique encourages better visual health, especially in environments where constant screen exposure is common.

While other options may seem beneficial, they do not effectively address eye strain in the same way. Increasing screen brightness might inadvertently increase glare and discomfort, especially in low-light settings. Minimizing breaks is counterproductive, as it allows eyes to fatigue more quickly. Using a larger font size could improve readability but does not fundamentally mitigate the strain from focusing on a screen for extended periods. Thus, taking regular breaks by looking away is the most effective strategy for easing eye strain.