Exploring characteristics of children with pre-myopia

Overview

https://research.qut.edu.au/ver/https://research.qut.edu.au/ver/

Pre-myopic children are those who, due to their age and refractive error, are at highest risk of developing myopia, and are therefore a unique group of children to study. However, the ocular, environmental, and lifestyle characteristics of pre-myopic children and their potential influence on eye growth and refractive error development has not been well-established. Therefore, this study aims to explore eye growth, refractive error development and a comprehensive range of ocular, environmental, and lifestyle factors, over a 12-month period, using innovative technologies and methodology.

We are seeking a highly motivated and passionate researcher to join this impactful project.

A MPhil scholarship is available for this project.

Research activities

Students will:

• review literature and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in myopia research
• contribute to the development of experimental and data analysis protocols to explore ocular, environmental and lifestyle factors associated with eye growth to achieve project outcomes
• analyse imaging or visual behaviour data collected from children with pre-myopia to understand their influence on eye growth
• publish research findings in high-impact journals
• present research findings at relevant conferences
• collaborate with collaborate closely with experienced researchers, research students, and optometry students in a supportive research environment.

Outcomes

This project aims to explore the changes in axial eye length and refractive error in children with pre-myopia to:

• identify baseline ocular, environmental and lifestyle characteristics associated with these changes
• examine associations with the 12-monthly change in a range of ocular, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

This will provide fresh insights into the ocular, lifestyle, and environmental factors associated with eye growth in children with pre-myopia, a unique group of children at highest risk of myopia development, and may produce recommendations for lifestyle and behavioural advice for clinicians and policy makers, and guide strategies to delay or prevent myopia onset.

Skills and experience

Students should have a strong optometry and/or vision science research background with experience in any of the following research areas: refractive error development, myopia, visual optics, near work and myopia, myopia control, paediatric vision, ocular biometry and imaging, or accommodation.

Other attributes would include:

• experience conducting research with human subjects, including ethics applications and data collection and analysis
• strong analytical thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and attention to detail
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• high motivation and passion
• ability to work independently and as part of a team
• excellent time management skills
• a demonstrated publication record in peer-reviewed conferences or journals.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

Explore our research scholarships

Keywords

• myopia
• pre-myopia
• myopia control
• visual optics
• accommodation
• near work
• paediatrics

Contact

Contact Dr Rohan Hughes via email (rp.hughes@qut.edu.au) for more information.