Using the app
Screen-distance feedback
As you concentrate, you drift toward the screen without noticing, and sitting too close is one of the biggest contributors to tired, strained eyes. ScreenGuardian estimates your distance in real time and nudges you when you have crept in too far.
How it estimates distance
The app infers how far your face is from the camera and anchors that estimate to your calibration, so the numbers reflect your real setup rather than a generic guess. It reads distance continuously and smooths it, so a quick lean does not trigger a false alarm.
The too-close alert
When you stay closer than a healthy range for long enough, a distance alert appears asking you to sit back. Ease back to a comfortable arm's-length position and it clears. A rough target for most people is about an arm's length from the screen; for the reasoning, see how far should you sit from your screen?
Average distance over a session
ScreenGuardian also shows your average distance across a session, so you can see whether you tend to sit too close in general rather than just in a single moment. It is a quiet way to notice a pattern you would otherwise miss.
Getting the most out of it
- Calibrate at the distance you actually want to hold as your baseline.
- If you keep getting the alert, move the screen back or raise it, rather than fighting the pull all day.
- Pair it with regular eye breaks so distance and focus rest together.
Common questions
What is a good screen distance?
Roughly an arm's length, with the top of the screen near eye level, suits most people. Larger screens want a little more distance. Comfort matters more than a precise number.
Why did I get an alert when I only leaned in briefly?
You should not; the reading is smoothed and the alert waits for a sustained close position. If brief leans set it off, recalibrate at your normal distance and let us know through Help if it persists.