University PhD Research Studentship2018/19

School of Health and Life Sciences

Project Title: Improving the rehabilitation of patients with homonymous visual field loss using eye-tracking

Project Reference Number: SHLS2018001

Key words: Applied Vision Research; Living with Stroke; Eye Tracking

Applications are invited for a full-time PhD research studentship at Glasgow Caledonian University within the School of Health and Life Sciences. The studentship of £19,300 per year is for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress. The studentship covers the payment of tuition fees (currently £4,500 for UK/EU students or £15,000 for International students) plus an annual stipend of £14,800 for UK/EU students or an annual scholarship of £4,300 for International students.

Project Summary BackgroundStroke is the main cause of acquired adult disability in high-income countries. Around 50% of those who survive a stroke suffer from visual field loss, most commonly homonymous visual field defects (HVFD). HVFD lead to considerable difficulties, particularly with visual exploration and page navigation which results in persistent and severe reading difficulties and impaired mobility. This significantly affects social functioning, mental health, and creates vision-specific dependency and a substantial reduction in health-related quality of life.Current treatment methods for HVFD include: (i) restorative therapies, which aim at visual field restitution and (ii) compensatory therapies, which attempt to re-organize eye-movement control. While rigorously controlled trials that clearly establish the efficacy of any method are lacking, there is increasing evidence in favour of treatment protocols that involve the systematic and repetitive practice of specific eye movements.

Currently available methods for eye-movement training include: (1) individualised therapy developed empirically by clinicians (2) simple paper-based scanning exercises (3) apps or web-based training tools.

The main disadvantages, which all of these current methods have in common, are: (i) Objective quantification of any treatment effect is difficult or impossible to achieve. (ii) Patient feedback given by the clinician during the rehabilitation process is not objective as it depends on the clinician’s observations. (iii) Apps and web-based tools lack the controlled environment required to effectively monitor the user and provide meaningful feedback during the rehabilitation process.

AimsThe aims of the project are to:

- Adapt existing low-cost eyetracking technology for routine clinical use on patients with HVFD- Develop interactive tools for the visual rehabilitation of HVFD- Perform clinical testing of the visual rehabilitation tools on patients with HVFD-

ImpactEye tracking will offer the potential to tailor the training regime to the individual patient based on scientifically established algorithms, rather than clinical experience. In addition, it will allow the evaluation of the efficiency of scanning training (see figure 1) and the use of low-cost video tracking technology means that the system has the potential to be used for in-office as well as a home training tool in the community.

Version1.1Feb17

Figure 1 Density heat maps showing the distribution of fixations for a visually normal subject performing a visual search task (“…spot the blueberries...”) with full visual field (a) and a simulated HVFD (b).

Example References:1. Gibaldi, A., et al., Evaluation of the Tobii EyeX Eye tracking controller and Matlab toolkit for research. Behav Res Methods, 2017. 49(3): p. 923-946.2. Ong, Y.H., et al., Eye-Search: A web-based therapy that improves visual search in hemianopia. Ann Clin Transl Neurol, 2015. 2(1): p. 74-8.

Research SupervisorsDr Dirk Seidel SHLS Dr Ryan Gibson SEBEDr Christine Hazelton NMAHP-RU

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Dirk Seidel d.seidel@gcu.ac.uk .

Mode(s) of StudyThe studentship is available as a 3 years full-time PhD.

EligibilityApplicants will normally hold a UK honours degree 2:1 (or equivalent); or a Masters degree in a subject relevant to the research project. Equivalent professional qualifications and any appropriate research experience may be considered. A minimum English language level of IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no element below 6.0 is required. Some research disciplines may require higher levels.   

Specific requirements of the project:The successful applicant will have:

- Either a background in computing, physics, mathematics or similar and an interest to develop clinical research and data collection skills.

- Or a clinical background in a relevant discipline e.g. optometry, psychology, orthoptics etc. and an interest in computing and understanding of software development.

How to ApplyCandidates are encouraged to contact the research supervisor(s) for the project before applying. Applicants should apply online via this link https://www.gcu.ac.uk/research/researchatglasgowcaledonianuniversity/postgraduateresearchopportunities/hls/ selecting the Full Time Research Vision option, stating the Project Title and Reference Number listed above in the application process and attaching copies of academic qualifications (including IELTS if required), 2 references and any other relevant documentation.

Applicants shortlisted for a PhD studentship will be contacted for an interview.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 28 March 2018 Version1.1Feb17

a) Full Visual Field b) Simulated ‘Left HVFD’