Vision is so much more than what meets the Eye

Take our Vision Quiz to learn whether you should explore Vision Therapy

What do you see in this picture?

This mystery picture is known as the Renshaw Cow Card. Yes, that's right - the picture shows a cow including the head and top half of the body. If you weren't able to see that before, please take another look at the picture and try again.

Dr. Samuel Renshaw (1892-1981), an American experimental psychologist used this image to portray that the brain perceives vision differently from what is simply seen through our eyes. Our eyes are able to see objects, but until the eyes communicate the messages to our brain where the vision is processed then we're not really seeing.

Interestingly enough, children tend to have an easier time spotting the cow in this image because they see in the natural way that we were born with and that is to be able to see the bigger picture without getting caught up in the details. When we are taught to read, our brain learns to look at each letter and we start getting caught up in the details and have a harder time seeing the big picture, unless we are familiar with the image. Once you are able to find the cow in the picture then usually it becomes very easy to find the cow in the future because our brain has already processed the image. Renshaw's theory was applied during World War II to train sailors to identify enemy aircraft in a split second. Our visual system,

Who do you see?

Pictures of celebrities' faces upside down with the mouth and eyes wrongly positioned in opposite direction as the rest of the face: http://thatchereffect.com/

Now turn it upside down, what do you see?

This illusion, known as the Thatcher Illusion or the Thatcher Effect was first demonstrated by Professor Peter Thompson of the psychology department at the University of York in 1980 using a picture of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The Thatcher Effect shows us that when our brain sees a familiar face upside down it thinks it can identify the person so we get confident that everything seems normal with the facial image that we are viewing. However, only when the picture is turned right side up can we identify that something is wrong with the picture as both the mouth and eyes are upside down.

The Brain & Vision

Just like with these two examples of the Renshaw Cow and the Thatcher Effect, demonstrating how our vision is so influenced by our brain, so too our brain is involved in so many aspects of vision. Just like a computer works by having both hardware (memory card, hard drive, keyboard) and software (windows, chrome, macOS), our vision requires both the eyes as the hardware and our brain as the software. In fact, more than 50% of the brain's cortex is involved in processing visual information.

It is essential to understand the importance of the communication between our eyes and our brain which enables a much higher level of functional vision. The amazing thing is that developmental optometrists can train the brain and the eyes to communicate optimally together in order to improve our quality of life.

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Developmental & Pediatric Optometry
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What is Renshaw Cow Card?

An American experimental psychologist used this image to portray that the brain perceives vision differently from what is simply seen through our eyes. Our eyes are able to see objects, but until the eyes communicate the messages to our brain where the vision is processed then we're not really seeing. The Thatcher Effect shows us that when our brain sees a familiar face upside down it thinks it can identify the person so we get confident that everything seems normal with the facial image that we are viewing.

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Testimonials

I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.

Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.

Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!

Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.

Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.

Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.