Department of Optometry and Vision Science
Visual Neuroscience
Research in the Visual Neuroscience Laboratory is focused on the study of visual perception and neural plasticity. One goal is to develop new, clinically-applicable treatments for visual developmental disorders such as amblyopia.
Amblyopia, sometimes known as lazy eye, is a developmental visual disorder characterised by a loss of vision in one eye. Amploypia is difficult to treat as the visual loss is due to abnormal development of visual brain areas rather than a problem with the eye itself.
Amblyopia affects approximately 3% of the population. Current treatment options are limited for children and largely non-existent for adults. This is because the adult brain is not thought to have sufficient capacity for change after the critical period of visual development.
We hope to demonstrate that the adult brain does have sufficient plasticity that can be manipulated to allow improved function of the amblyopic eye.
Dr Ben Thompson (Principal Investigator)
BSc (Hons) Experimental Psychology, University of Sussex, UK
DPhil Experimental Psychology, University of Sussex, UK
Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Psychology, UCLA, USA
Postdoctoral Scholar, McGill Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Canada
Senior Lecturer, Department of Optometry and Vision Science, New Zealand
National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Dr Joanna Black (Research Fellow)
BSc Biological Sciences and Pharmacology, University of Auckland, New Zealand BOptom (Hons), University of Auckland, New Zealand
CertOcPharm, University of Auckland, New Zealand
DPhil Optometry (pending), University of Auckland, New Zealand
Daniel Spiegel (PhD Student)
BSc Optics and Optometry, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
MHSc Health Sciences (Pedagogical Optometry), Masaryk University, Czech Republic
MSc Clinical Optometry, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, USA
Alice Lagas (PhD Student)
BSc Psychology, University of Leiden, The Netherlands
RA Medical Centre The Hague, The Netherlands
Assistant teacher Biological and Cognitive Psychology, University of Leiden
MSc Cognitive experimental psychology, University of Leiden, The Netherlands and Neuro-cognitive Centre, Bangor University, UK
RA Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
Sandy Yu (PhD Candidate)
BOptom (First Class Honours), TPA, University of Auckland
Victor Borges (PhD Candidate)
BSc Biomedical Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
PGDipSci Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
MSc Biological Sciences (First Class Hons), University of Auckland, New Zealand
Arijit Chakraborty (PhD Candidate)
B.Optom (Governor Gold Medallist), Techno India, West Bengal University of Technology, India
M.Phil Optometry, Elite School of Optometry, BITS Pilani, India
Lecturer, Faculty of Optometry & Vision Science, Twintech International University College of Technology, Malaysia
Nabin Paudel (PhD Candidate)
BOptom (Hons), Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Clinical Optometrist, B.P.Koirala Lions Center for Ophthalmic Studies, Kathmandu, Nepal
We are always looking for new PhD candidates in our laboratory. If you would like additional information about PhD projects please contact Dr Ben Thompson:
Dr Ben Thompson
The University of Auckland
Building 502, 4th floor
85 Park Rd
Grafton
Auckland
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 86020
Fax: +64 9 373 7058
Email: b.thompson@auckland.ac.nz
See Dr Ben Thompson for:
- Volunteering
- PhD Projects
- Employment opportunities
- Any other information regarding the Visual Neuroscience Lab
We are always looking for people to participate in our studies, so that we can better understand amblyopia and how to treat it.
We are looking for people with a history of lazy eye, as well as people with normal vision.
If you are living in the Auckland area and would like further information about how to become a participant, please contact Dr Ben Thompson as above.
