Curing blindness is now within sight Advancing basic and translational research and creating pharmacological treatments to cure blindness. Welcome Message Our Brunson Center for Translational Vision Research at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute serves as an international leader in advancing research and bolstering the support of investigators pursuing basic and translational sciences relevant to vision. We are bringing together exceptional scientific expertise from within the University, the School of Medicine and other schools, and complementary research programs to advance collaborations that focus on fundamental discoveries in vision research with translational potential. We aim to integrate basic and clinical research, including genetics and pharmacology, to develop innovative and accessible therapies that can ultimately restore vision for millions who have lost their sight or are at risk of blindness. News Sep 18, 2026 | UC Irvine School of Medicine PerZeption Awarded NEI Phase 1 SBIR Grant for Age-related Macular Degeneration Study PerZeption Inc. has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Eye Institute (NEI) for the project "Efficient Achromatic and Chromatic Photostress Recovery Assessment for Age-related Macular Degeneration." The study will be performed in collaboration with researchers at the Brunson Center for Translational Vision Research at the University of California, Irvine. Sep 11, 2026 | UC Irvine School of Medicine Pre-Med Students Spend Summer Immersed in Biomedical Research UCI’s summer research programs give undergraduate students hands on experience in biomedical research and clinical medicine. This year, 25 students in the HBCU Summer Research Clinical Experience (TRAVIS) Program explored fields including retinal disease, gene editing, and inherited eye disorders while gaining mentorship and research experience. Aug 13, 2026 | UC Irvine News Knights Templar Eye Foundation Leaders Visit UCI to Celebrate Career-Starter Grant Recipient and Meet Program Alumni Postdoctoral scholar Yexuan Cao, MD, PhD, of the Rui Chen Lab, receives $100,000 grant to study a newly identified gene linked to inherited retinal disease View All News Events Sep 25, 2026 Distinguished Speaker Series | Alexander Dizhoor, PhD Oct 2, 2026 Distinguished Speaker Series | Claudio Punzo, PhD Oct 9, 2026 Distinguished Speaker Series | Dr. Guilherme Testa Silva Oct 16, 2026 Distinguished Speaker Series | Ryan Alexander Flynn, MD, PhD Oct 23, 2026 Distinguished Speaker Series | Benjamin P. Kleinstiver, PhD View All Events Editing for Vision: How Foundational Biology Drives Genetic Therapies for the Eye October 8, 2027 BCTVR is pleased to announce its upcoming research symposium, "Editing for Vision: How Foundational Biology Drives Genetic Therapies for the Eye." This one-day event will explore how discoveries in basic biology are shaping the next generation of genetic therapies for eye disease. The program will open with a keynote lecture by Nobel laureate Dr. Jennifer Doudna of UC Berkeley and the Innovative Genomics Institute. VIEW EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Explore the Science Behind the Vision Get an inside look at the groundbreaking research happening within the Brunson Center for Translational Vision Research. Hear directly from our faculty as they share the goals, impact, and innovation driving their work. These stories highlight the collaborative spirit and scientific excellence at the heart of BCTVR. Watch the Videos Researchers Sponsors Cores T32 VSTP Labs Distinguished Speaker Series Every Friday, 8:30 am-10:00 am PST, during Academic year, BCTVR hosts worldwide research seminars on the groundbreaking research topics ranging from ophthalmology, genetics, biochemistry, neurobiology, imaging, computational sciences to novel ophthalmic treatments. This seminar series showcases the Vision Science Program and engages our colleagues from UCI, the region, the nation and beyond. Please join us! Learn more About Friday Seminars Unique Two-photon Ophthalmoscope (2PO) The BCTVR boasts having the two-photon ophthalmoscope (2PO) instrument for humans, a next-generation technology that could accomplish in-depth, real-time views of disease progression. It is the only one in the country and only one of the two in the world. This live imaging with 2PO excitation can help provide patients more individualized treatment by using a nondestructive, deeply penetrating long-wavelength infrared laser beam. The application of 2PO simultaneously exceeds and complements the capabilities of optical coherence tomography and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, two of the techniques currently used clinically to image retinal diseases. Read Full Article BCTVR Publication Library We strive to make our research available to benefit and transform society and improve people's lives. Full List of Publications