The 20/20/20 rule: Practicing pattern and associations with asthenopic symptoms
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Date
2023-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
All India Ophthalmological Society
Abstract
Purpose: The present work style and lifestyle have increased the digital device use. Therefore, an increase in digital eyestrain is to be expected. We undertook a survey during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID?19) pandemic to investigate the practice of 20/20/20 rule and its association with digital device use and asthenopic symptoms. While this rule is commonly advised, little is known about its validity. Methods: An online survey form was disseminated through social media and emails. The questions for eye?related symptoms were similar to the convergence insufficiency symptom survey (CISS). Participants with age ?5 years were included, with parents completing the survey for children (?16 years). Results: A total of 432 participants (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 26.06 ± 13.92 years) were enrolled, of which 125 responses were for children. The 20/20/20 rule was practiced only by 34% of the participants either regularly (n = 38) or occasionally (n = 109). Those who had complaints of burning sensation and headache tended to practice this rule. Among adult participants, more females (47%) practiced this rule when compared to males (23%). Also, adult females significantly (P = 0.04) had more symptoms score when compared to males. In children, no such gender difference was found. Conclusion: Only one?third of participants practice the 20/20/20 rule at least occasionally. More number of adult females being symptomatic and practicing in greater number could be due to higher prevalence of dry eye condition in females. While the symptom of burning sensation could be related to dry eye, that of headache could be related to refractive error or binocular vision dysfunctions
Description
Keywords
20?20?20 rule, computer vision syndrome, COVID?19 pandemic, digital eye strain
Citation
Datta Sourav, Sehgal Shivalika, Bhattacharya Bidisha, Satgunam Prem Nandhini. The 20/20/20 rule: Practicing pattern and associations with asthenopic symptoms. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2023 May; 71(5): 2071-2075