PhD Study : Myopia Management - Is it Just for Kids?

Summary

‘Myopia Management’ through optical and pharmacological technologies designed to slow eye growth and the progression of myopia have been shown to be safe and effective for children and their availability is set to revolutionise how optometrists manage childhood myopia. However, several areas where more research and improved technologies are required to optimise clinical management and patient outcomes have been highlighted by stakeholders.

This PhD investigates two key questions to which clinicians, researchers, and the optical industry are seeking answers.

1)Are myopia control lenses effective at slowing adult myopia progression? While eye growth and myopia progression tend to slow and stabilise in late teenage years, between 20-35% of adults aged 20-30 years continue to progress by at least -1.00D over a 5-year period. Given that every dioptre increase in myopia results in an increased overall lifetime risk of serious ocular pathology, it seems opportune to investigate whether adult myopia progression can also be retarded with myopia control interventions. The outcomes will provide novel evidence regarding the utility of these lenses in an adult population.

2)Can a novel handheld ocular biometer provide robust and reliable measures of axial length sensitive enough to monitor efficacy of myopia control interventions? Another key challenge for clinicians is monitoring the success (or otherwise) of myopia management strategies in individual patients. Measurement of axial length is the optimal method to monitor myopia progression but ocular biometers are currently costly, bulky and accessible to few clinicians.

The proposed study will evaluate and compare measures obtained with a novel hand-held biometer (Occuity AX1) to those from the gold-standard Zeiss IOLMaster 700 to determine validity and sensitivity of the AX1. These data will be invaluable for clinicians searching for practice-friendly tools to support myopia management practice.

This PhD project provides an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified optometrist to tackle ‘hot’ topics in myopia research, working with our internationally recognised research group and industry partners.

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