PhD Study : Differentiating Myopia From Glaucoma: Shortening The Diagnostic Pathway For Long Eyes With Novel Tests Of Visual Function

Summary

Glaucoma is the primary cause of permanent vision loss worldwide. It affects the retinal cells that transmit visual information to the brain (retinal ganglion cells, RGCs) by putting them under stress, so they no longer work effectively (i.e., they are dysfunctional or ‘sick’). These cells eventually die if appropriate treatment is not initiated, resulting in progressive, permanent vision loss across the field of vision. Traditionally vision deficits in the disease are detected and monitored using perimetry – A test in which white spots of fixed size and presentation duration are varied in brightness to find the limit of visual sensitivity (threshold) at multiple locations across the field of vision. While universally used, this test is poor at differentiating RGC density changes attributable to glaucoma from that associated with eye elongation in individuals who are short-sighted (myopic). This creates the issue that it can take many years for clinicians to differentiate what might be a true case of glaucoma in myopic patients. This issue is further compounded by other tests designed to measure eye structure (e.g., OCT) being unable to differentiate the conditions. This can lead to increased pressure on healthcare services and marked anxiety in myopic patients who are classed as ‘glaucoma suspects’ for several years despite not having the disease.

In this PhD, a clinical strategy to more robustly differentiate what are glaucoma from myopia-related alterations in RGC density will be developed. This will be based on previous work in our group where the ability of retinal cells to collect light energy (summation) was found to be altered in both glaucoma and myopia eyes, but that the nature of these changes differed markedly between the conditions. This would suggest that a vision test, such as that being developed in this project, may be optimal to differentially diagnose myopia from glaucoma.

The PhD Researcher will become part of a long-established, multi-disciplinary, UK-wide team of collaborators including research partners at Cardiff University, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.

Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentship 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
• 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