Perception and Visual Cognition

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.

Novel Color

Berkeley scientists created a new platform called 'Oz' that directly controls up to 1,000 photoreceptors in the eye at once, providing new insight into the nature of human sight and vision loss.

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

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.

Novel Color

Berkeley scientists created a new platform called 'Oz' that directly controls up to 1,000 photoreceptors in the eye at once, providing new insight into the nature of human sight and vision loss.

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

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.

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PhD Program
Opens September 2025

News

ViSUR Testimonials

July 7th, 2025

An 8-week intensive summer program where undergraduate students work in a vision science lab.

The Class of 2025

June 2nd, 2025

On May 23, we celebrated the Optometry & Vision Science Class of 2025 at their commencement ceremony.

Making a Lasting Impact

June 15th, 2025

A Q&A with T. Rowan Candy (PhD ’97), Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor at Indiana University School of Optometry.

Save the Date: BAVRD 2025

April 17th, 2025

Bay Area Vision Research Day is on September 12th, register by September 5th!

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

March 27th, 2025

From the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics

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.

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!