3 hour rule

The 3 hour rule is a suggestion to keep a balance between near work and time spent using distance vision and reduce eye strain. This can be an effective alternative to the 20-20-20 rule.

• After 3 hours of continuous close-up time, get an hour of continuous distance time.
• Do not exceed 3 hours of close-up time.
• Ideally for the break, get some distance vision with norms for 1 hour, to compensate for every 3 hour of close up.

If you do near work for 4 hours or more continuously, it is likely you will have ciliary spasm that is harder to resolve and it may be more difficult to make improvements.