Eye health experts recommend lighting and habit changes to reduce screen fatigue

Experts are providing guidance on reducing visual fatigue and optimizing workspaces for those returning to school or office routines.

To combat eye strain caused by intensive screen use, ophthalmologist Fernando Llovet recommends the ‘20-20-20 rule’: every 20 minutes, look away from the screen for 20 seconds at an object approximately six meters away. He also suggests taking five to ten-minute breaks every hour and a half or two hours, maintaining proper device distances—50 cm for computers, 30 cm for phones, and 40 cm for tablets—and blinking frequently to prevent dryness.

Regarding workspace setup, Raúl Oliva from IDEQUO Madrid Interior Design School emphasizes that lighting should be functional rather than just aesthetic. He advises against the misconception that more light is always better, suggesting a general fill light of 400 lux supplemented by an additional 200 lux of softer task lighting. To minimize glare and eye strain, Oliva recommends using indirect lighting or bouncing light off a wall rather than pointing lamps directly at the desk or screen.