The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute

03/17/2026

Blindness & Low Vision Support Group

Join us tomorrow, March 18, 2026!

This month’s session focuses on Balance & Fall Prevention, an important and practical topic for individuals living with vision loss.

Falls are one of the most common risks for those with low vision, but there are ways to better understand and reduce that risk. This session will offer helpful insights and simple strategies you can incorporate into your daily routine.

🗓 Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
⏰ Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Format: In-person with a virtual option

We’re excited to welcome Michelle Naito, PT from the CPMC Outpatient Rehabilitation Department. With over 20 years of experience, Michelle specializes in working with patients with orthopedic conditions and will guide us through:

• How physical therapy can improve balance and prevent falls
• Common fall risk factors and key statistics
• How clinicians assess fall risk
• The role of vision, proprioception, and the vestibular system in balance
• Simple, practical exercises to support stability

The session will include a brief presentation, visual slides, and easy-to-follow exercises you can try at home.

Whether you're looking to learn, stay active, or support a loved one, we hope you’ll join us!

🔗 You can learn more and find this meetings Zoom link below:

The Blindness and Low Vision Support Group offers resources and community. Connect at monthly meetings, in person or online. Learn more today.

02/19/2026

Low Vision Awareness Month

At Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, our scientists are deeply committed to improving quality of life for people living with low vision.

🔬 A few studies we’re working on:
• Studying how vision loss impacts real-world mobility and fall risk
https://www.ski.org/project/mobility-and-fall-risk-central-visual-field-loss/

• Developing assistive technologies like CamIO to make tactile materials interactive https://www.ski.org/project/camio/

🤝 Community Support:

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.

Now we’re building on that foundation.

🗓 February 18, 2026
🕞 3:30–5:00 PM
📍 2318 Fillmore Street, San Francisco
💻 Hybrid option available via Zoom
You can find the zoom link here: https://www.ski.org/project/blind-and-low-vision-support-group/

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 ! 📚
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.

🔗 Learn more: http://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000001373

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.

Here’s to inspiring confidence, and curiosity.💙👩‍🔬

01/22/2026

CAMIO implementation in Palo Alto, CA.

01/20/2026

💙 Join Us Tomorrow January 21st 💙

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.

✨ Free to attend
✨ Open to all

📍 Everyone is welcome.
Visit our website https://www.ski.org/project/blind-and-low-vision-support-group/ for more information and join us!

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.

📍 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. 👏
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.