Longitudinal Study of Changes to the Ocular Surface and Tear Film

Are you in routine eyecare practice and interested in undertaking a practice-based part time (over up to 6 years) PhD focused on understanding the changes in patients tear film and ocular surface over time? A full PhD fee waiver will be awarded to successful candidates and the research can be conducted largely remotely.

Studies demonstrate that about one in three adults [1-3] and one in five children [4] meet the diagnostic criteria for dry eye disease, hence it is commonly encountered in routine primary eye care. The recent TFOS DEWS III report has updated the definition, diagnostic algorithm, identification of pathophysiological drivers and evidence-based management of dry eye disease [5-7]. However, there is scarce literature on changes in the tear film and ocular surface over time in those who are untreated or those who adopt a treatment [8, 9]. The effect of compliance in the latter group also warrants investigation.

This project will:

•           Review past longitudinal studies relating to the tear film and ocular surface to identify areas of particular interest

•           Establish a group of adults and / or children who will attend their practice at 6 monthly intervals for any symptoms to be reported and their ocular surface to be examined

•           Examine treatment compliance and yearly variations in symptomology using the MyDryEye app

Please note: The practice will need to cover standard clinical consumables such as fluorescein and lissamine green dyes and would ideally have an instrument that can objectively quantify tear film metrics such as non-invasive breakup time.

References

[1]        Cai Y, Wei J, Zhou J, Zou W. Prevalence and Incidence of Dry Eye Disease in Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ophthalmic Research 2022;65(6):647-58. https://doi.org/10.1159/000525696.

[2]        García-Marqués JV, Talens-Estarelles C, García-Lázaro S, Wolffsohn JS, Cerviño A. Systemic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors for dry eye disease in a mediterranean caucasian population. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye 2022;45(5):101539. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2021.101539.

[3]        Vidal-Rohr M, Craig JP, Davies LN, Wolffsohn JS. The epidemiology of dry eye disease in the UK: The Aston dry eye study. Contact Lens Anterior Eye 2023;46(3):101837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2023.101837.

[4]        Stapleton F, Velez FG, Lau C, Wolffsohn JS. Dry eye disease in the young: A narrative review. The ocular surface 2024;31:11-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2023.12.001.

[5]        Jones L, Craig JP, Markoulli M, Karpecki P, Akpek EK, Basu S, et al. TFOS DEWS III: Management and Therapy. American journal of ophthalmology 2025;279:289-386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2025.05.039.

[6]        Stapleton F, Argüeso P, Asbell P, Azar D, Bosworth C, Chen W, et al. TFOS DEWS III: Digest. American journal of ophthalmology 2025;279:451-553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2025.05.040.

[7]        Wolffsohn JS, Benítez-Del-Castillo JM, Loya-Garcia D, Inomata T, Iyer G, Liang L, et al. TFOS DEWS III: Diagnostic Methodology. American journal of ophthalmology 2025;279:387-450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2025.05.033.

[8]        Amparo F, Dana R. Web-based longitudinal remote assessment of dry eye symptoms. The ocular surface 2018;16(2):249-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2018.01.002.

[9]        Zhou Y, Murrough J, Yu Y, Roy N, Sayegh R, Asbell P, et al. Association Between Depression and Severity of Dry Eye Symptoms, Signs, and Inflammatory Markers in the DREAM Study. JAMA Ophthalmology 2022;140(4):392-9. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.0140

Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:

a] a First or Upper Second Class award in their Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors or UG Masters) from a UK institution, in a subject judged by Aston to be relevant to the proposed research.

OR

b] a Merit (or above)* in a Postgraduate Masters degree in a relevant subject AND an Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors or UG Masters), both from UK institutions.

*where appropriate.

Qualifications from overseas institutions will be also considered but performance must be equivalent to that described above, and the University reserves the right to ascertain this equivalence according to its own criteria.

Financial Support

This project covers the Home tuition fees. Candidates who do not have Home status will be responsible for the difference in tuition fees. Currently, the difference between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £17,712 for 2026/7.  

Overseas Applicants

Overseas applicants may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference between the ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees. Currently, the difference between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £17,712 for 2026/7. As part of the application, you will be required to confirm that you will provide this additional funding. Please indicate this on the application form in the funding section.
 

Apply through our PhD application form.

When applying:

• For University College, please select Health and Life Sciences
• For Degree Programme, please select Research Health Sciences (including Optometry, Pharmacy, and Psychology Research Areas) and your preferred entry date.

Apply now

If you require further information about the application process please contact the Postgraduate Admissions team at pgr_admissions@aston.ac.uk

Supervisor: Prof James Wolffsohn

Associate Supervisors: Dr Sonia Trave-Huarte and Dr Debarun Dutta

Contact information

For formal enquiries about this project contact Prof James Wolffsohn at j.s.w.wolffsohn@aston.ac.uk

PhD programmes are for those who are seeking to develop greater in-depth knowledge in a specific area. Completing this level of study is about making an original contribution to knowledge, making new discoveries and developing lifelong skills. 

Studying a PhD is great route into academia and industries that are centred on research and innovation. Areas with a demand for very high level and specialised research skills often demand PhDs.

In addition to this specialist knowledge, PhD education will help you to develop a set of valuable transferrable skills. The very nature of studying an intensive research degree will enable you to become a team player, develop problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and advanced presentation and communication skills.