Our free Blindness & Low Vision Support Group held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month provides a welcoming space to share experiences, learn practical strategies, and connect with scientists and clinicians working in low vision research.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in the developed world. Central visual field loss due to diseases such as AMD is a large and growing problem. It is also associated with higher risk of falls and, therefore injury. Although much has been done to understan...
02/17/2026
Recently, we welcomed students from Oakland High School’s Innovative Design & Engineering Academy (IDEA) to the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute!
The day began with Dr. James Coughlan, Director of our RERC on Blindness and Low Vision, who introduced key concepts in accessibility research such as tactile graphicacy and multimodal interaction. Students then heard from Dr. Santani Teng on echolocation and braille research, Dr. Natela Shanidze on the vestibular system and mobility, Dr. Andrew Freedman on blind spots and AMD through a VR demo, and Dr. Jade Guenot on depth perception and VR-based training.
We’re inspired by the next generation of designers and engineers thinking creatively about accessibility!
02/11/2026
📱 Low Vision & Blindness Support Group – Smartphone Accessibility (Part 2)
In November, we introduced powerful smartphone accessibility tools that help with everyday tasks like reading printed text, recognizing objects, navigating environments, and using devices hands-free.
Join us for a hands-on session led by Dr. James Coughlan, Ph.D., and Dr. Nasif Zaman, Ph.D., scientists at Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute. They’ll provide live demonstrations of accessibility features for both Apple (iOS) and Android devices, followed by individualized support.
We encourage in-person attendance if possible, as hands-on learning is best face-to-face. Bring your device, specific tasks you’d like help with, and even real-world materials (like a mailed letter) for guided practice.
The session is free and open to anyone with low vision or blindness, as well as family members and caregivers.
Join Dr. Don Fletcher, one of the world’s leading authorities on Low Vision Rehabilitation, to share experiences and learn about the things that help you maintain a full and happy life while living with low vision.
02/03/2026
Our researchers at SKERI do some serious fundamental science. Yet, it doesn't prevent them from making a difference in the lives of real people who struggle with severe vision loss.
An elderly lady with a debilitating eye condition is telling us how scientists at Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute helped her remain active and mainta...
01/28/2026
Happy ! đź“š
As the month comes to a close, we didn’t want to let it pass without honoring Louis Braille, who invented the world’s foremost tactile reading system nearly 200 years ago.
Braille fact: Braille isn’t a separate language, it’s a code. With just six dots, it represents over 130 languages and conveys letters, numbers, punctuation, music, and even advanced math.
Why it matters: Reading is an active process. Research from Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute shows that both blind and sighted readers understand text better when they actively read—whether with eyes or handscompared to passively listening to text read aloud. Literacy tools like braille support deeper comprehension, not just access.
ms were (1) to investigate the hypothesis that reading comprehension is enhanced by increased physical engagement and cognitive effort through text or braille and (2) to explore how assistive technology impacts comprehension for blind individuals. METHODS In a within-subjects design, 31 sighted and....
01/27/2026
One of our scientists recently had the joy of speaking with an inquisitive group of 4th and 5th grade Girl Scouts at the Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of Eye hosted by American Academy of Ophthalmology
She shared what it’s really like and what it takes to become a scientist. Moments like these remind us how powerful representation, mentorship, and early exposure to science can be in shaping future possibilities.
Our Blind & Low Vision Support Group meets tomorrow at 3:00 PM PST and will be held hybrid (in person + Zoom).
This is a welcoming, supportive space to connect with others, share experiences, and learn together. Whether you are blind or have low vision, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for community—you are welcome.
Join Dr. Don Fletcher, one of the world’s leading authorities on Low Vision Rehabilitation, to share experiences and learn about the things that help you maintain a full and happy life while living with low vision.
01/13/2026
Join our Low Vision & Blindness Support Group, led by Anne Marie Rossi, an occupational therapist, and Scientists at Smith-Kettlewell. Meetings are hybrid, completely free, include guest speakers, and feature a new topic each month.
đź“Ť Everyone is welcome.
Visit our website www.ski.org under the Events tab or scan the QR code on the flyer to learn more and join us.
12/24/2025
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute! ✨
As the year comes to a close, we want to send our heartfelt thanks to our community of researchers, collaborators, supporters, and friends.
The holidays are a time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the connections that bring meaning to our work and to one another.
We look ahead to the new year with hope for continued discovery, shared purpose, and opportunities to make a positive difference through vision research and accessibility.
If you feel moved to stay connected or support our work in the year ahead, we’re deeply grateful for your generosity in all its forms.
Wishing you a season filled with warmth, joy, and peace, and a new year full of possibility.
Here are a few photos from our Holiday Lunch:
12/19/2025
🎉 Celebrating 50 Years of Scientific Excellence at Smith-Kettlewell 🎉
This month we are honoring Christopher Tyler, Ph.D., on an incredible milestone, 50 years at The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute. Over five decades, his work has helped define the field of vision science, influencing research communities around the world.
From the invention of the auto-stereogram to pioneering advances in binocular vision, sweep VEP, and innovative fMRI brain-mapping techniques, his contributions have transformed how we understand visual perception. His research continues to illuminate the connections between how we see, how we think, and how we create.
We are deeply grateful for his lasting impact, curiosity, and dedication to advancing science. đź‘Ź
If you'd like to know more about Dr. Tyler's work you can find more information here: https://www.ski.org/directory/christopher-tyler/
Dr. Tyler(Right) is pictured below with Dr. Arthur Jampolsky(Left) founder of Smith-Kettlewell.
12/02/2025
This Giving Tuesday, we’re celebrating the impact our community makes possible. At the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, every breakthrough begins with a mission rooted in service: to advance understanding of human vision, improve diagnosis and treatment of visual and sensory disorders, and engineer innovative technologies that empower people who are blind or partially sighted.
Your generosity fuels research that moves beyond our labs and into the real world. Because of supporters like you, our scientists are developing earlier detection for childhood eye diseases, designing accessible navigation tools used worldwide, and creating rehabilitation techniques that help individuals regain independence and confidence.
When you give to SKERI, you are investing in discoveries that directly change lives.
On this global day of giving, we invite you to stand with us.
Together, we can advance research, expand accessibility, and build a brighter future for the people who need it most.
đź’™ Give today and help turn groundbreaking research into real-world impact. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=4Q8ZAYZ4EAALA
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute:
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is a non-profit independent research center. We are interested in three main areas of research: basic scientific research to increase the understanding of normal vision in support of vision disorders, clinical research to develop new diagnostic procedures and treatments for visual and other sensory disorders, and engineering research to produce better techniques for aid and rehabilitation of the blind and partially sighted.
The research that the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is doing has expanded its understanding of how the visual system (including both eye and brain) work and are affected by disease and vision impairment. In fact, millions of people around the world benefit from the Institute's work diagnosing and treating eye diseases. The studies conducted by its staff have also led to the development of innovative devices, and enhanced services for partially sighted, blind, and hearing-impaired people. A few examples of the Institute's accomplishments are highlighted below.
Innumerable innovations in diagnosis and surgery for childhood vision diseases, notably crossed eyes (strabismus)
Botulinum toxin (“Botox”), originally for correction of crossed eyes, leading to many wider uses
