The life of the modern person is guided by thousands of light sources, day in and day out. Our visual system is so sensitive that it matches the ultimate limits of physics: the dimmest images we can see are caused by only dozens of photons of light entering our eyes. However, we also have an unconscious visual system that regulates other body functions such as sleep, learning, mood, and the response of our pupils to light. There is a lot that we do not know about the unconscious visual system, such as its ultimate limits of sensitivity. In this work, I will utilize the light response of the pupil to measure the dimmest light stimuli that can stimulate the unconscious system. I will study what circuits of neurons in our eyes are responsible for unconscious vision and will immediately develop a practical application for it: by taking advantage of the accessibility of the pupil, I will use it to test the health of the eye and of the neural circuits responsible for unconscious vision.

2023

2027