PhD Study : The Growing Problem of Myopia: are spectacles part of the problem?

Apply and key information  

Summary

Myopia (short-sight) is increasing in prevalence and the World Health Organisation has identified this as a major public health problem; not just because of the increased need for optical correction amongst myopes, but because of the risk of sight-threatening pathology associated with the condition. Myopia usually occurs when eyes grow too large due to a failure of the normal regulatory mechanisms which are influenced by environmental factors, including light exposure and visual feedback.

Modern children’s lifestyles (less time in outdoor play, more time spent on electronic devices) appear to be disrupting the control of eye growth and promoting myopia to manifest more often and at younger ages than in previous generations. The earlier in childhood that myopia starts, the greater the scope for excessive eye growth and the higher the risk of sight-threatening pathology. In response to this problem, new pharmacological and optical interventions have been developed; however, they are costly and not widely available. The strategy successfully used to reduce myopic progression by optical interventions is to shift the peripheral retinal image shell, which is often relatively hyperopic (even in a myopic eye), to a myopic position. The rationale behind this strategy is that counteracting hyperopic defocus will discourage eye growth, and clinical trials using orthokeratology, modified spectacle lenses and multi-focal contact lenses have demonstrated efficacy. However, standard spectacle correction of myopia exaggerates peripheral hyperopic defocus, theoretically promoting myopic eye growth.

Parents and clinicians often question the need for spectacle correction for low levels of myopia, and there is limited evidence-base to advise the best course of action to ensure vision quality is adequate and myopic eye growth is discouraged. The concept of ‘holding off’ from prescribing optical correction for low levels of incipient myopia has been a topic of discussion for many decades and, as noted above, there is a rationale for why such a protocol should be beneficial.

This project will use the extensive datasets available from previous and ongoing studies of refractive error in school age children (NICER and NICER2:0) to explore this low risk, low cost and attractive management option with modern measurement protocols and with the additional information recently gained from local studies on children’s typical eye growth patterns and light exposure and circadian profiles.

Other Specific Requirements

Applicants must hold an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) Degree in Optometry and be, or expect to be by 1st October 2020, a GOC-registered optometrist.

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

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 - peer-reviewed
  • Publications record appropriate to career stage
  • Experience of presentation of research findings
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
  • Use of personal initiative as evidenced by record of work above that normally expected at career stage.
  • 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

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM

Interview Date
9 to 20 March 2020

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2020

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Professor Kathryn Saunders

Other supervisors