An eye surgeon has shared a straightforward method to reduce eye strain during the summer months. Despite warmer weather, many people in the UK continue to spend long periods on screens. This includes using smartphones on sun loungers or working on laptops in outdoor settings. Consultant ophthalmic surgeon Shahram Kashani at OCL Vision in Eastbourne noted that eyes receive little relief from close-up focus even in summer. He recommended the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This approach allows the eye muscles to relax and encourages more frequent blinking to prevent dryness. Prolonged screen use can lead to tiredness, irritation and blurred vision, known as digital eye strain. Recent data from Ofcom shows UK adults spend an average of four and a half hours online daily outside work, with higher figures among younger adults. Kashani advised setting phone reminders to follow the rule and suggested looking at simple distant objects such as trees or garden features. He also urged anyone with ongoing vision issues to seek a professional eye examination rather than attributing symptoms solely to screen time.
