Susana Chung, OD, PhD

Research Areas

Cortical adaptation and plasticity in response to vision loss

Research in our lab focuses on the understanding of how the visual system works in people with normal vision, as well as in people with uncorrectable subnormal vision (visual impairment). Uncorrectable sub-normal vision can occur as a result of an eye disease (e.g., age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of visual impairment in the US for people over the age of 65), or even in the absence of an eye disease (amblyopia, or "lazy eye").

In our lab, we combine various non-invasive techniques to study vision of people with normal or impaired vision. These techniques include standard (e.g., signal detection theory) and more contemporary psychophysical methods (e.g., reversed-correlation method), retinal imaging using Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope combined with psychophysical tasks, and functional magnetic brain imaging (fMRI).

The ultimate goals of our research program are to understand the various limiting factors on visual performance in people with visual impairment, and to devise methods, devices or rehabilitative strategies to improve the functional vision of these people, thereby improving their quality of life.

Teaching

Vision Science 205. Visual Perception and Sensitivity

Co-Instructor

Psychophysical basis for clinical tests in acuity, perimetry, and color vision. The visual stimulus and photometry. Visual receptors. Psychophysical method and visual threshold. Light sensitivity. Contrast sensitivity. Light and dark adaptation. Temporal and spatial properties of visual function. Color vision and abnormalities. Changes with age and disease. Visual illusion. Basis for advanced diagnostic procedures.

Vision Science 212E. Color Vision and Visual Sensitivity

Co-Instructor

Introduction to sensory aspects of light and color vision, including psycho-physical methods, spectral response of the eye, mechanisms of sensitivity control, dark adaptation, color discrimination, and mechanisms of normal and defective color vision.

Optometry 440B-440C: Advanced Optometry Clinic

Supervising students during examination of patients in a primary care setting. Diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, patient management, and follow-up in Low Vision Clinic.

Publications

http://selab.berkeley.edu/publications.html