Prediction of Neurocognitive Outcomes in Preterm Infants from Measurements of the Eyes Recorded Early in Life

Supervisors:

• Dr Frank Proudlock fap1@le.ac.uk
• Professor Samantha Johnson: sjj19@le.ac.uk

Project description:

In the UK around one in 13 children are born prematurely (at less than 37 weeks gestational age), and one in 200 are born extremely preterm (at less than 28 weeks gestational age). These children may show significantly delayed development of the eyes, visual system and brain. These outcomes are difficult to predict in young preterm-born children limiting advice health professionals can give to concerned parents with a view to directing children to appropriate support if necessary.

This PhD will investigate the utility of measurements of the eyes recorded early in life to predict neurocognitive at a later age. The student will carry out cognitive tests of children aged between 5 and 12 years of age and will link these data with existing eye measurements from the neonatal period. The research will be led by Dr Frank Proudlock, who has extensive research experience in children’s eye disease and imaging of the eyes, along with Professor Samantha Johnson, who has expertise in neurocognitive assessment in preterm children. The potential in applying early measurements of the eye for clinical use will lead to improved management and new treatments for preterm-born children and improved parental counselling.

Over the past 10 years our group has pioneered the use of an imaging technique called optical coherence tomography (OCT) in children’s eye diseases. We have now collated one of the largest historic datasets of OCT images in preterm-born children in the world with over 600 measures taken from over 200 children. Many of these children are now old enough to carry out accurate assessments of their cognitive and visual outcomes. 

The successful candidate will join the Vision Sciences group within the School of Psychology and Vision Sciences at the University of Leicester. This unique group brings together expertise in both psychology and ophthalmology to understand functional vision. The clinical aspect of the group, the Ulverscroft Eye Unit, has an international reputation for research into paediatric ophthalmology and imaging of the eye. We have an excellent track-record of supporting students and enabling career progression within our unit supported by the wider university.

The PhD is suitable for graduates with a psychology or biological sciences background or related discipline. Candidates with experience in clinical or vision-related disciplines are also encouraged to apply.

References: 

1. Educational outcomes in extremely preterm children: neuropsychological correlates and predictors of attainment. Johnson S, Wolke D, Hennessy E, Marlow N. Dev Neuropsychol. 2011;36(1):74-95. doi: 10.1080/87565641.2011.540541.

2. Use of Hand-Held Optical Coherence Tomography during Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening Demonstrates an Increased Outer Retina fom Early Postmenstrual Age in Preterm Infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity. Anwar S, Nath M, Patel A, Tyradellis S, Gottlob I, Proudlock FA. Retina. 2024 Feb 1;44(2):306-315. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003957.

3. Severity of cystoid macular oedema in preterm infants observed using hand-held spectral domain optical coherence tomography improves weekly with postmenstrual age. Anwar S, Nath M, Gottlob I, Proudlock FA. Eye (Lond). 2023 Oct;37(14):3009-3014. doi: 10.1038/s41433-023-02461-8. 

4. Potential Utility of Foveal Morphology in Preterm Infants Measured using Hand-Held Optical Coherence Tomography in Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening. Anwar S, Nath M, Patel A, Lee H, Brown S, Gottlob I, Proudlock FA. Retina. 2020 Aug;40(8):1592-1602. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002622.

5. Extended optical treatment versus early patching with an intensive patching regimen in children with amblyopia in Europe (EuPatch): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Proudlock FA, Hisaund M, Maconachie G, Papageorgiou E, Manouchehrinia A, Dahlmann-Noor A, Khandelwal P, Self J, Beisse C, Gottlob I; EUPatch study group. Lancet. 2024 May 4;403(10438):1766-1778. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02893-3.