From Measurements to Management: Early Predictors and Biomarkers for Future Myopia in Pre-School Children

Summary

Childhood myopia is rising globally, with onset occurring at progressively younger ages.

Early-onset myopia is associated with higher refractive errors and an increased lifetime risk of sight-threatening complications.

Recognising the growing impact of myopia on vision health, both the World Health Organization and the World Council of Optometry have identified myopia as a key public health priority.

Understanding which children are at greatest risk and which eye characteristics predict progression is therefore critical for developing effective, personalised management strategies.

This project will investigate how key anatomical and optical features of the eye relate to current refractive error and subsequent eye growth over a one-year period.

By exploring these relationships, the study aims to improve understanding of which children are most at risk of developing significant myopia and how their eye structure may influence the trajectory of progression.

In addition, a complementary sub-study in an older cohort will examine short-term responses to different myopia management interventions.

This will help clarify whether variations in eye anatomy or optical characteristics are associated with differences in treatment efficacy, supporting the development of more tailored approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all strategy.

Insights from this work are expected to inform evidence-based recommendations for myopia prevention and management in clinical practice, aligning with the global public health priority to reduce the burden of myopia-related complications.

This PhD offers a unique opportunity for a GOC-registered optometrist to engage in clinically focused, population-based, and intervention research with direct implications for childhood myopia.

Applicants must hold a valid UK driving licence and be GOC-registered optometrists with an interest in paediatric vision research.

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