Eyes on the Brain

Neuroscience

Moving To The Beat

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on August 31, 2013

Why do we and some other animals move to the beat?

Why do we and some other animals move to the beat?

Motivation

Healing as a Creative Act

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on July 14, 2013

Do the stories we grow up with impact our ability to heal?

Do the stories we grow up with impact our ability to heal?

Identity

Vision and the Self

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on June 5, 2013

Does a life-changing experience, such as a dramatic change in vision, alter your sense of self?

Does a life-changing experience, such as a dramatic change in vision, alter your sense of self?

Neuroscience

Face-To-Face

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on March 25, 2013

In this era of emails and texting, is there still a role for face-to-face communication?

In this era of emails and texting, is there still a role for face-to-face communication?

Therapy

Seeing Past Dogma

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on February 25, 2013

A mime artist entertains a crowd by moving each eye independently. This may be a small trick, but it poses a challenge to scientific wisdom that has persisted for more than 100 years.

A mime artist entertains a crowd by moving each eye independently. This may be a small trick, but it poses a challenge to scientific wisdom that has persisted for more than 100 years.

Memory

Math and Memory

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on January 29, 2013

How important is the ability to do arithmetic in your head?

How important is the ability to do arithmetic in your head?

Fantasies

Reflections on Christmas Lights

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on December 22, 2012

Do we all see Christmas lights in the same way?

Do we all see Christmas lights in the same way?

Play

Vision, Music, and Waking Up the Brain

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on December 1, 2012

Seeing better changed the way I play and hear music.

Seeing better changed the way I play and hear music.

Child Development

Piano Practice Can Have Far-Reaching Effects.

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on November 11, 2012

I have always been cross-eyed and, for most of my life, thought this left me with an irreversible deficit in my vision. Yet, my parents gave me something in childhood that helped me overcome this pessimistic state of mind and learn to see in a remarkable new way.

I have always been cross-eyed and, for most of my life, thought this left me with an irreversible deficit in my vision. Yet, my parents gave me something in childhood that helped me overcome this pessimistic state of mind and learn to see in a remarkable new way.

I thought that knowing the mechanism behind 3D vision would prepare me for what I’d see if I gained stereovision. But I was wrong.

Identity

Do We See The Parts Or The Whole?

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on September 29, 2012

Sometimes, we learn to recognize a person, plant, or object by focusing on certain characteristics. Over time, however, we identify that person, plant, or object, not by the details, but by their appearance as a whole. How does that happen?

Sometimes, we learn to recognize a person, plant, or object by focusing on certain characteristics. Over time, however, we identify that person, plant, or object, not by the details, but by their appearance as a whole. How does that happen?

Unconscious

What the Brain Tells the Eye

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on August 30, 2012

Before we make any voluntary movement, a great deal of planning, which is largely unconscious, takes place in our brain. The same is true for our vision.

Before we make any voluntary movement, a great deal of planning, which is largely unconscious, takes place in our brain. The same is true for our vision.

Synesthesia

The Brain of a Synesthete

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on July 26, 2012

Do you see colors with letters or numbers? If so, what’s going on in your brain?

Do you see colors with letters or numbers? If so, what’s going on in your brain?

Flow

A Surprising Reason Why Two (Coordinated) Eyes Are Better Than One.

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on June 7, 2012

A lack of 3D vision is not the only reason why it’s harder to drive with crossed eyes.

A lack of 3D vision is not the only reason why it’s harder to drive with crossed eyes.

Sport and Competition

The Power of Mothers

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on May 13, 2012

One mother’s determined and successful search for a solution to her child’s school and vision problems.

One mother’s determined and successful search for a solution to her child’s school and vision problems.

Depression

When Dad Saw Double

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on April 27, 2012

When my father grew depressed and withdrawn, I discovered that part of the problem was his vision.

When my father grew depressed and withdrawn, I discovered that part of the problem was his vision.

Attention

Why Do I Have Trouble Reading?

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on March 13, 2012

When I wrote Fixing My Gaze, I was faced with a Catch-22. I wrote the book for people, like me, who have binocular vision problems, but many people with these conditions don’t like to read.

When I wrote Fixing My Gaze, I was faced with a Catch-22. I wrote the book for people, like me, who have binocular vision problems, but many people with these conditions don’t like to read.

Play

Picking Yourself Up After a Fall

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on February 26, 2012

A young musician tells an inspiring story.

A young musician tells an inspiring story.

Therapy

No Pain, No Gain?

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on February 16, 2012

When my broken right arm came out of its cast, I assumed I’d quickly go back to my right-handed ways. But that’s not what happened.

When my broken right arm came out of its cast, I assumed I’d quickly go back to my right-handed ways. But that’s not what happened.

Therapy

Reality Check

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on January 24, 2012

We may mistake a change in our bodies for a change in the outside world.

We may mistake a change in our bodies for a change in the outside world.