PhD Study : Visual stress among adults with and without dyslexia.

Summary

Visual stress is a syndrome that causes symptoms of eye strain, headaches and visual distortions when looking at striped patterns such as text when reading.  It is a relatively common, though under-recognised condition, and for people with sufficient issues, their symptoms are alleviated by the use of coloured filters.  Colour is typically prescribed using coloured overlays or coloured spectacle lenses. Commonly children and adults with dyslexia are assessed for visual stress but the literature would suggest that the condition only co-occurs in a small percentage of individuals with dyslexia (approximately 20%).1

Few robust studies have investigated the prevalence of visual stress in the typical population without dyslexia.  Symptoms of visual stress are particularly relevant to student populations who are often asked to read and comprehend large volumes of written material.  There may therefore be a proportion of the population who would benefit from treatment of visual stress that remain undetected and undiagnosed. Developments in technology, such as tablets and smartphones, mean that people are now reading written material electronically rather than in paper based form. Glare sources and reflections are often described as making the symptoms of visual stress worse so the nature of text displayed on tablets may exacerbate the problems perceived.2

This PhD study will firstly investigate visual stress in a large sample of adult University students both with and without a diagnosis of dyslexia.  Few studies have assessed the prevalence of visual stress signs and symptoms in a non-dyslexic population and those studies who have done so have not been significantly powered.3,4 A comprehensive eye examination and visual stress assessment including the signs and symptoms outlined by the recently published diagnostic tool advised by Evans et al.5 will be used to determine those with and without visual stress within a University student population.

This data will provide further evidence of the proportion of individuals with dyslexia who co-exhibit visual stress and to establish whether some students without dyslexia may benefit from the use of colour to treat signs and symptoms of visual stress. The research will also examine how the symptoms of visual stress using electronic devices compare with symptoms using paper-based testing. Recent developments on electronic devices include accessibility options that allow the user to change the colour tint that appears over their screens, similar to the traditional treatment of visual stress by coloured overlays.

The study will also determine whether there are measurable benefits of using coloured tints available on electronic devices and how they compare to the use of conventional coloured overlays.  Data resulting from this arm of the study could lead to an additional clinical management option when dealing with patients with visual stress that aligns with the type of reading material often presented in contemporary educational settings.

1. Evans BJW & Allen PM. (2016). A systematic review of controlled trials on visual stress using Intuitive Overlays or the Intuitive Colorimeter. J Optom. 9(4):205-218.

2. Nandakumar K. & Leat SJ. (2008). Dyslexia: a review of two theories. Clin Exp Optom. 91(4):333-40.

3. Singleton, C. & Trotter, S. (2005) ‘Visual stress in adults with and without dyslexia.’ Journal of Research in Reading, 28, pp. 365–78.

4. Henderson LM., Tsogka N., Snowling M.J. (2013). Questioning the benefits that coloured overlays have for reading in students with and without dyslexia. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 13(1):57-65.

5. Evans BJW, Allen PM., Wilkin AJ. (2017). A Delphi study to develop practical diagnostic guidelines for visual stress (pattern-related visual stress). J Optom. 10(3):161-168.

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

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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• 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