Oxyopia Research Seminar Series

Introduction "Oxyopia" is a research program featuring regularly scheduled seminars on basic, clinical, or applied vision topics given at the University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry by speakers from institutions around the world. These hour-long presentations typically take place in our newly remodeled lecture hall (489 Minor Hall).

The term "oxyopia" means "sharp or acute vision." It was coined by Dr. Paul Pease (Professor, University of Houston) while he was a graduate student at Berkeley Optometry in the late 1960s and supervised the organization of weekly research speakers. Former Berkeley Optometry Dean Anthony Adams instituted course credit for the Oxyopia series in 1978, whereupon all Vision Science graduate students were required to attend.

In 2000, Drs. Christine Wildsoet and Marilyn Schneck organized Oxyopia to provide opportunities for VS graduate students to meet and interact with the speakers. They also worked with the Berkeley Optometry Continuing Education office to offer CE credit to attending clinicians. In addition, special presentations by Vision Science graduate students are now arranged as they complete their PhD theses.

The current organizing team is headed by Drs. Dennis Levi, Ralph Freeman, and John Flannery.

See Current Oxyopias for current-year seminars.

See Past Oxyopias for prior-year seminars (starting from 1994).