Hyperopia: shedding light on the ‘neglected’ refractive error of childhood to alleviate visual problems and maximise educational attainment

Summary

Hyperopia is a common refractive error in childhood and is associated with amblyopia and strabismus.

However, it is difficult to detect in vision screening programmes without refraction, and despite evidence in the literature concerning the association between hyperopia and reduced near visual acuity and stereoacuity, there is a lack of consensus among clinicians regarding prescribing criteria for spectacles.

There is also evidence of an association between uncorrected hyperopia and reduced academic performance.

Most school tasks are performed at near working distances, and the prolonged use of electronic devices, for both educational and recreational purposes imply that the efficiency of near vision is increasingly more important for the social and educational well-being of children.  

As uncorrected hyperopia increases focusing demand on near objects, it is the refractive error most likely to impact on learning through close work.

While some children may exert accommodation to overcome lower magnitudes of hyperopia without correction, their visual comfort when doing this and the resulting effect it has on reading and near tasks are poorly understood.

Nevertheless, it is likely that there is a detrimental impact if hyperopia remains uncorrected through childhood.  

This interventional study will work with clinical partners: aligning with standard clinical care we will undertake an additional battery of candidate measures of visual functions before and after provision of hyperopic spectacle correction to determine the benefit of correction, stratified by magnitude of hyperopia.

This study will therefore establish the importance of correction of hyperopia in childhood, providing much-need evidence for clinicians on prescribing criteria.

This project extends the long-standing research work investigating hyperopia and accommodation from the Centre for Optometry and Vision Science at Ulster.  

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with academic experts, as well as external collaborators, and gain experience in range of research methodologies and paediatric optometry.

Important Information: 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
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• 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 record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)

This scholarship will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,000* (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum is also available.

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National, or

• Have settled status, or

• Have pre-settled status, or

• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or

• be an Irish National

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.

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.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period