Dear Fellow UKZN student,

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was declared a national state of disaster, which lead to a nationwide lockdown in South Africa. COVID-19 has seen society pivot, almost overnight, from real world interactions moving to the online space, thereby increasing digital device usage. Prolonged hours in front of our screen can cause Digital Eye Strain (DES), previously referred to as computer vision syndrome. Digital Eye Strain is defined as the physical discomfort felt after two or more hours within close or mid-range distance of a digital device.

To support the country during this pandemic, we the fourth year B. Optometry students (University of Kwa-Zulu Natal) are undertaking a study to establish an association between screen time and digital eye strain in the university student population during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa.

Your participation in this study will help us to raise awareness about digital eyestrain and will enable us to educate students on protective measures they can adopt to avoid digital eyestrain.

All information you provide will be collated and summarized into key thematic areas by our team of data analysts.

No personal information you provide will be reported and your response is COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS. If you agree to participate in this survey, please respond to the questions and statements below. If you do not wish to participate, you may close the screen and no information will be recorded. If you agree to participate, we ask that you complete all questions and answer freely. It should take you no more than 10-15 minutes to complete the survey.

If you have any complaints about any ethical aspects of the research or feel that you have been harmed in any way by participating in this study, please contact the Human Sciences Research (HSSREC) office on Tel 0312607291 or email HSSREC@ukzn.ac.za. Protocol reference number: HSSREC/00001347/2020.

Please contact the researchers, if you have any queries about this research
Akoo T, Biyela S, Blose S, Jumna S, Nair P.
Naidoo S. - 217014480@stu.ukzn.ac.za
Zuma S. - 216015657@stu.ukzn.ac.za

Supervisor: Dr AJ Munsamy