Investigating the jigsaw of binocular perception in glaucoma: Are two eyes really better than one?

Summary

Glaucoma is the world’s leading causing of irreversible blindness which causes a progressive loss of peripheral vision. It can affect one or both eyes, but is most commonly asymmetric. In eye clinics, the detection and monitoring of glaucoma requires visual function tests to be performed on each eye separately. However, patients are most concerned with their vision in natural settings i.e. when viewing with both eyes open. The binocular (both eyes) visual field is not routinely measured clinically, mainly because of the already long time that monocular (one eye) measures take. Thus, clinicians are reliant on piecing together an understanding of binocular visual function from monocular measures. It is therefore important to understand exactly how the two eyes combine and work together (or against each other), and the resulting binocular functional ability. However, there is limited evidence as to how the visual system combines (sums) visual information from the two eyes in glaucoma, and it is likely to be different to the process in healthy eyes.

This project will seek to address this knowledge gap, by investigating binocular summation in the healthy and glaucomatous visual system, and how this varies for different types of visual stimuli. This will give us a better understanding of the likely visual perception and functional difficulties encountered by glaucoma patients in their habitual state – i.e. with both eyes open.

This project will also relate measures of binocular visual function to quality of life measures and simulated driving tasks, and consider whether the current test used to detect visual field loss in glaucoma is the most appropriate for detecting those with functional deficits relevant to driving.

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.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period (individual project advertisements will note where part time options apply).

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.