Perception and Visual Cognition

Dr. Agostino Gibaldi of the Banks Lab is interested in extending models of sensory processing and oculo-motor behavior from laboratory settings to complex stimuli that more closely resemble real world conditions.

Using Eye Movements to Diagnose Brain Health

Inside the Lab of Dr. Jorge Otero-Millan

Tracking the Evolution of a Theory

A theory proposed 100 years ago has led to a path of inquiry and discovery that continues to engage and challenge the school’s research community.

A cartoon illustration of a woman wearing a VR headset and stretching one hand out in front of her.

Eye Tech

A growing number of Vision Science PhDs are finding scientific satisfaction in a demanding and rewarding new industry environment

Dr. Michael Silver

Michael Silver, Professor of Optometry and Vision Science and Neuroscience, in his lab on the Berkeley campus. The brains behind Dr. Silver are those of his two sons, Talyn and Gryphon. The artwork was made by his wife Jenny as lab warming gift.

Berkeley Scientists Discover Retinal Cells that Help Stabilize Our World View

The discovery will enable researchers to better understand eye movement disorders that cause significant visual impairment.

An Audacious Goal

A collaboration to cure blindness with retinal cell transplants.

Adaptive Optics

Swati Bhargava from the Roorda lab. The question that motivates the research in the Roorda lab is, "how do humans convert the two-dimensional images that land on the retina into such a rich perceptual experience?"

Colorful pop art illustration of a woman wearing smartglasses.

Smartglasses for All

Berkeley Optometry and Vision Science professor Dr. Emily Cooper has received a five-year NSF Faculty Early Career Development Grant for her project, Smartglasses for All.

Perception and Visual Cognition

Using Eye Movements to Diagnose Brain Health

Inside the Lab of Dr. Jorge Otero-Millan

Tracking the Evolution of a Theory

A theory proposed 100 years ago has led to a path of inquiry and discovery that continues to engage and challenge the school’s research community.

Eye Tech

A growing number of Vision Science PhDs are finding scientific satisfaction in a demanding and rewarding new industry environment

Dr. Michael Silver

Berkeley Scientists Discover Retinal Cells that Help Stabilize Our World View

The discovery will enable researchers to better understand eye movement disorders that cause significant visual impairment.

An Audacious Goal

A collaboration to cure blindness with retinal cell transplants.

Adaptive Optics

Smartglasses for All

Berkeley Optometry and Vision Science professor Dr. Emily Cooper has received a five-year NSF Faculty Early Career Development Grant for her project, Smartglasses for All.

Perception and Visual Cognition

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PhD Program
Opens September 2025

News

A novel method for quantitatively analyzing subjective reports of psychedelic visual experiences

February 19th, 2025

From the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics

Farewell Dean Flanagan!

February 7th, 2025

John Flanagan is stepping down as dean after an exceptionally successful ten years leading the school.

Meet Our New Dean!

February 6th, 2025

Sharon A. Bentley has been selected as the 9th dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science.

Oxyopia Spring 2025 Lectures

January 22nd, 2025

February 24, 2025 – Emma Alexander, Assistant Professor, McCormick School of Engineering, Computer Science, Northwestern University

New Paper from Chung Lab

February 11th, 2025

New tool for comprehensive structure-function assessment of the macula across various eye disorders.

Our Vision, Our Future

December 8th, 2023

A campaign initiated by the transformational $50 million gift from the Wertheim Family Foundation.

Fields of Research

Faculty

The Vision Science faculty constitute a prestigious group of educators and researchers. Click the arrow to learn more about them, including research interests, contact information and links to lab websites.

Students

About 40 graduate students are currently enrolled in the Vision Science program. Their backgrounds include degrees in psychology, biology, engineering, computer science, or optometry.

Admissions

Berkeley is the No. 1 public university in the world. Our students and faculty come from different places and backgrounds, but together we create a vibrant and dynamic community that seeks to create a better world. Join us!