Optometry MPhil – (M.Phil.)

The MPhil is a one-year research degree where students get the opportunity to study a specific research project. The MPhil degree can act as a stand-alone degree for applicants who would like to gain experience in a specific area, or can be linked to a PhD programme. Rather than register on a direct entry 3 or 4 year PhD, some postgraduates may first register on a one-year MPhil programme. Subsequently students may then wish to transfer on to a full PhD programme with a further 2 or 3 years of study.
MPhil research in Optometry follows the five themes of the Eye & Vision Sciences Research Group which are:

Function and Dysfunction.
The measurement of functional loss in various ophthalmic conditions along with the evaluation and development of measurement technologies forms the basis of this programme.
Visual Optics and Instrumentation
Optimal visual performance depends on the maintenance of a high-quality optical image on the retina. In practice the image may be degraded by refractive error, failure to focus (accommodate) correctly, optical aberration and scattering.
Ocular Imaging
Researchers in ocular imaging use a diverse spectrum of techniques to visualise the tissues of the eye, from the cornea to the retina and the optic nerve.
Visual Psychophysics
Visual psychophysics studies the relationship between visual stimuli and the sensations they evoke while ocular electrophysiology investigates the signals passing along the visual pathway.
Low Vision
Research in low vision concentrates on the design of aids, training in their use, and the appropriate measurement of treatment outcomes.
More details about the staff and currently active research topics, along with links to other vision related groups within the University, can be found at the Eye and Vision Sciences research group web pages.