Predicting myopia from an early age: what to measure, when, why and how?

Apply and key information

This project is funded by:

Department for the Economy (DfE)
Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Summary

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a common eye condition which is typically caused by excessive growth of the eye. It normally begins in childhood and continues to progress into early adulthood. In recent years research has shown that the prevalence of myopia in children is increasing, and that children are now becoming myopic at a younger age. In light of this, the World Health Organisation recognises myopia as a major public health concern due to an increased risk of developing sight-threatening eye diseases in later life. In order to address this, interventions to slow down the growth of the eye, and ultimately progression of myopia, have been developed and are now commercially available for practitioners to prescribe to their paediatric patients.

These interventions include spectacle and contact lenses, pharmacological treatments and light therapies. For practitioners to determine whether a child’s eye growth/shape is progressing faster than expected, it is important that they understand what ‘normal’ eye growth/shape looks like so that they can decide when and how they should intervene. It is also important that clinicians can monitor whether an intervention they prescribe is having its desired effect, or whether they should switch to an alternative therapy. To enable practitioners to do this, it is necessary for them to have access to normative data on the size and shape of children’s eyes for both those who develop myopia, and those who do not. Such data for children under 6 years of age in the UK are not currently available.

With the onset of myopia commencing at a younger age, this PhD project aims to fill this important gap which will enable practitioners to better manage their paediatric patients in practice.

Preference will be given to applicants who are 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)
Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance). A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

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.