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 May 20, 2026 | UC Irvine School of Medicine The School of Medicine Announces 2026 Robert & Sylvia Mapel Research Innovation Awardees Congratulations to Krzysztof Palczewski, PhD, and Eleonora Risaliti on being named the 2026 Robert & Sylvia Mapel Research Innovation Awardees. Their project, “Prime Editing VEGF-A: A Durable Genomic Therapy for Neovascular AMD,” aims to advance innovative genomic therapy research for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. May 11, 2026 | Center for Translational Vision Research BCTVR Hosts Foundation Fighting Blindness Vision Connection Event at UC Irvine The Brunson Center for Translational Vision Research (BCTVR) hosted the Foundation Fighting Blindness Vision Connection event at UC Irvine, bringing together researchers and community members for presentations on breakthrough vision research and emerging therapies for blindness. The event featured talks from five UC Irvine vision experts. May 04, 2026 | UC Irvine School of Medicine Yexuan Cao, MD, PhD Awarded Knights Templar Eye Foundation 2026-27 Career-Starter Research Grant Dr. Yexuan Cao, a postdoctoral scholar at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and BCTVR, received a 2026–2027 Knights Templar Eye Foundation Career-Starter Research Grant to support research on the genetic causes of childhood-onset blindness. View All News Events Sep 11, 2026 Distinguished Speaker Series | George M. Church, PhD May 29, 2026 Distinguished Speaker Series | Cherlyn Ng, PhD View All Events Breaking Barriers: Trailblazing Innovations in Medical Research Symposium September 19, 2025 BCTVR hosted a world-class Symposium, titled “Breaking Barriers: Trailblazing Innovations in Medical Research” on September 19, 2025. We were honored to organize this one-day event, which delved into the forefront of modern medical research and explored groundbreaking innovations. The symposium featured leading scientists from across the nation, including three Nobel laureates, a Presidential Early Career Award recipient, and other distinguished speakers, who shared their insights on opening new frontiers in medical research. Additionally, we hosted power meetings with prominent researchers, providing a platform for collaboration and exchange of ideas. 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