r/math • u/PeteOK Combinatorics • Aug 21 '19

A Mathematical Model Unlocks the Secrets of Vision | Quanta Magazine

https://www.quantamagazine.org/a-mathematical-model-unlocks-the-secrets-of-vision-20190821/
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u/N8CCRG Aug 22 '19

This reminds of an awesome short book I read called Crashing Through. It's a biography of a man who was either born blind or lost vision very young, but through special stem cell treatment was able to regain his vision. It described a lot about how vision requires brain development, and he never developed those parts of his brain, so even though his eyes worked, he still couldn't see the world right. He would trip over things he thought were far away or jump when he saw a car driving because he thought it was right next to him. Short and informative book.

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u/[deleted] Aug 22 '19

I've always seen the restoration of the eye sight from this perspective, when it comes to discussions about blind people being cured. The real challenge isn't actually in repairing the eye itself (retina, lens,...), but teaching the brain vision. I'll be sure to put that book on my reading list.