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Our Mission

Our mission is to create a unique environment for research on human vision 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.

Learn more about Smith-Kettlewell

Recent Publications

Anatomical schematic of the ear with "Noise" entering the ear canal and reaching the inner ear that has the cochlea and the vestibular organs visible
Shanidze, M. N., Velisar, A., Lotze, A., Prakash, P., Stewart, C., & McCaslin, L. D. (2026). Association between lifetime noise exposure and audiometric thresholds using the noise exposure structured interview. Scientific Reports.
A cartoon of two individuals walking along a street with thought bubbles imagining a fall and an ambulance for one and consternation about foot placement in the other.
Shanidze, N.M., Agathos, C.P., Ellmers, T.J., & Young, W.R., (2026). Links Between Central Visual Field Loss and Movement Processing during Walking. Gait & Posture, 110095.
Tomaz, Â. G., Chopin, A., Alcalde, N. G., Levi, D. M., & Verghese, P. (2026). The best stereoacuity is rarely at the fovea. Vision Research, 240, 108748.
Guénot, J. & Verghese, P. (2026). Cue combination for depth perception in macular degeneration: Motion parallax augments disparity. Journal of Vision, 26(1), 11-11.
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Explore SKERI

Front entrance to SKERI building

History of SKERI

The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is a nonprofit, independent research institute affiliated with and located adjacent to California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. It is a place where Vision Science has been on the cutting edge since 1960. Did you know that it was here at SKERI that the clinical applications of Botox were pioneered? Read more…

Collage of RERC staff mebers and RERC projects

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center

The Center’s research goal is to develop and apply new scientific knowledge and practical, cost-effective devices to better understand and address the real-world problems of blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind consumers.

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Internships and volunteering at SKERI

At The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, we offer a wide variety of projects that frequently welcome interns and other dedicated volunteers. If you have a passion for making a difference and would like to contribute your time and expertise to our cause, we would love to hear from you.

Latest News

Oakland High School’s Students Visit Smith-Kettlewell

February 6th, 2026

SKERI Postdoctoral Fellow Awarded Federal Grant for Research on Neural Plasticity and Echolocation

October 3rd, 2025

New Publication in the American Journal of Ophtalmology Challenges Current Views on Mobility in Central Visual Field Loss

October 1st, 2025

Audiom Wins GAADY Award

September 19th, 2025

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Upcoming Events

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Peer Discussion: Recap of Previous Topics

Wednesday, July 15th, 2026 – 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM

This July, we will be going over our previous topics. There will be no speaker, because the goal for this month is to discuss what you would like to cover in the future, based on what you found useful in the past. You need not to have gone to previous meetings to be part of this one, recaps of meeting topics will be provided and we are happy to bring back previous topics and speakers.
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Speaker: SF Public Library's Talking Books and Braille Center

SF Public Library’s Talking Books and Braille Center: Who Are They and How Can They Help You?

Wednesday, August 19th, 2026 – 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM

This August we will be having guest speakers from the main branch of San Francisco’s Public Library (located at Civic Center, 100 Larkin Street) to discuss the Talking Books and Braille Center. This library branch is part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, which provides free and accessible library resources to San Francisco residents with visual or print-reading disabilities. Our guest speakers will be providing information on the programs, services, and equipment this center offers, as well as applications (offered in multiple languages) to apply to the National Library Service. We...

Get Involved

If you are interested in vision science or want to learn more about low vision and blindness, there are many opportunities to get involved at The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute.

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