The name “20-20-20” is commonly used for a short distant-looking break during screen work. A timer can remind you to pause, but it cannot measure eye strain, check a prescription or decide why your eyes hurt. Zehano’s screen-break tool is a reminder with written cues, not a vision test.
Set up a break you can actually take
Start the Screen Break Timer before a period of computer work. Its default session is twenty minutes. When the session ends, look away toward a comfortably distant point for about twenty seconds. You can pause earlier; waiting for a timer is not a requirement if you need a break.
Change more than the clock
Use the pause to notice glare, small text or an awkward viewing position. Adjust the display so you do not need to lean forward to read. Blink naturally and change position comfortably. These are practical setup checks, not a treatment plan or a promise that one routine will resolve symptoms.
Know the reminder’s limits
A muted device or suspended browser may make an optional end bell easy to miss. The written timer remains the main cue. Persistent pain, visual changes or recurring discomfort deserve individual advice from an eye-care professional. Do not use a successful timer streak as evidence that your eyes are healthy.
Updated 10 October 2026. Original practical guide created with AI-assisted drafting and software checks. No professional or clinical review is claimed. Editorial approach and corrections.