PhD Study : Identification and management of early allergic eye disease in individuals at risk of keratoconus​

Summary

​Keratoconus is a progressive, ectatic corneal disorder which is multifactorial in aetiology.1  Associated risk factors are both genetic and environmental with allergic eye disease playing a significant role.1  Environmental factors include ‘eye-rubbing’ which is likely to occur as a consequence of an allergic ocular response, however data confirming this as causative are equivocal.2,3   Those presenting with more advanced disease at the initial presentation are at a greater risk of increased progression and poorer visual outcomes.4

This project aims to investigate in detail associations between allergic eye disease and keratoconus in populations with established keratoconus and those with ocular signs and symptoms of allergies. The project will include the following investigations:

An analysis of risk factors (genetic and environmental) in a population with established keratoconus using a matched-pair case-control approach.1,4  This population will be recruited from corneal clinics in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and will establish a UK based profile of keratoconic risk factors.

Investigation of ocular parameters associated with keratoconus in a group of children with recurrent allergic eye disease (from community Optometric practices).5,6  This study will describe the profile and the current management strategies employed for this population.

Evaluation of a group of children with a previous history of severe allergies/anaphylaxis (e.g. those who have been prescribed an Epi-Pen) to identify the presence of signs or symptoms of allergic eye disease.  These will be recruited via local school populations.  For reference, one post-primary school local to the Coleraine campus has 43 (out of 800) children currently carrying an Epi-Pen.

Development of a training programme for Optometrists with young patients with allergic eye disease to minimise the risk of progression to keratoconus and improve vision related quality of life.7  This will be informed by the previous studies and may be in the form of an app, infographic or video which would be accessible to other healthcare professionals e.g. Pharmacists.

Development of an intervention strategy for parents of children with allergic eye disease to minimise the risk of progression to keratoconus. Again, this will be informed by the previous work and may be in the form of an app, infographic or video.

This study will be carried out in collaboration with clinicians in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust corneal clinics.  The project will address the role community Optometrists can play in identification and management of allergic eye disease and other associated risk factors for keratoconus with a view to reducing the impact of this sight threatening condition.

Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentships are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living