Episode 140 - Cone by Cone: Mapping the Human Eye


In this eye-opening episode, we welcome Dr. Austin Roorda—visionary researcher, inventor, and professor—who takes us deep into the microscopic world of human vision. From mapping the trichromatic cone mosaic to pioneering adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, Dr. Roorda has revolutionized how we understand the eye.

👁️ Discover:

  • How stimulating a single cone can create surreal color experiences
  • The science behind light damage and flicker sensitivity
  • Why blue light might be more harmful than we think
  • The future of vision restoration and gene therapy
  • What it means to be a tetrachromat—and how it could unlock new colors

🌌 Plus, we explore the beauty of seeing in true darkness, the risks of over-illumination, and how lighting design might be impacting our health more than we realize.

#VisionScience #DrAustinRoorda #RestoringDarkness #LightingDesign #BlueLightHazards #Tetrachromacy #Optics #EyeHealth #DarkSky #SoftLights #Podcast

Connect with Dr. Roorda:

www.linkedin.com/in/austin-roorda-8527aa61

Bluesky: @roordalab.bsky.social

http://roorda.vision.berkeley.edu

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/23/new-color-what-is-olo/83229986007

 

Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, teslalightingco.com