University of Rochester Eye Institute

Krystel Huxlin, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Department of Ophthalmology
Neurobiology and Anotomy
Center for Visual Science
Brain & Cognitive Science

Research Insterests

Adult Visual Plasticity
One of our goals is to understand the cellular basis and psychophysical characteristics of visual perceptual plasticity in adulthood. We are particularly interested in contrasting the plastic potential of intact visual systems with the visual plasticity that can be attained by adult visual systems that have sustained permanent damage at different levels of their hierarchical organization. One avenue of research we are currently pursuing is to use anatomical tools, molecular biology, visual psychophysics, virtual reality and functional imaging (fMRI) to characterize changes at the cellular and systems levels that are key to the recovery of visual functions after brain damage in adulthood. We have recently begun applying this knowledge to patients with visual cortical damage following stroke, tumor or trauma with the ultimate goal of developing behavioral and pharmacological strategies to promote visual recovery following such damage.

Huxlin Lab Links Home Research Team Publications, Presentations & Patents Honors & Grants Teaching

Physiological Optics
Our second major area of research is intended to provide new insights into the biological causes and perceptual consequences of increased optical aberrations in the eye following manipulations or the ocular surface. Using anterior chamber optical coherence tomography, in vivo confocal imaging, wavefront sensing and histology, we are beginning to quantify the relationship between different aspects of ocular wound healing and optical quality in the eye. Using this knowledge, we are developing both intra- and post-operative strategies to improve the optical outcome of ocular surgeries.

Selected Publications

Huxlin, K.R. Williams, J.M. and Price, T. (2008) A neurochemical signature of visual recovery after extrastriate cortical damage in the adult cat. Journal of Comparative Neurology 508:45-61.

Martin T., Riley M.E., Kelly K., Hayhoe M. and Huxlin K.R. (2007) Visually-guided behavior of homonymous hemianopes in a naturalistic task. Vision Research 47: 3434 - 3446.

Bühren, J., Yoon, G., Kenner, S., MacRae, S. and Huxlin, K.R. (2007) The effect of optical zone decentration on lower- and higher-order aberrations after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in a cat model. Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science 48: 5806 - 5814.

Nagy L. J., MacRae S., Yoon G., Cox I. and Huxlin K.R. (2007) Photorefractive keratectomy in the cat eye: biological and optical outcomes. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 33: 1051 - 1064.

Huxlin, K.R. (2006) "Neurochemical changes underlying motion perception plasticity after visual cortex lesions". In Reprogramming The Cerebral Cortex: Plasticity Following Central And Peripheral Lesions. S.G. Lomber and J. J. Eggermont (Eds). Oxford University Press.

Huxlin K.R., Yoon G., Nagy L., Porter J. and Williams D.R. (2004) Monochromatic ocular wavefront aberrations in the awake-behaving cat. Vision Research 44: 2159 - 2169.

Huxlin K.R. and Pasternak T. (2004) Training-induced recovery of motion perception after extrastriate cortical damage in the adult cat. Cerebral Cortex 14: 81 - 90.

Huxlin K.R. and Pasternak T. (2001) Long-term neurochemical changes after visual cortical lesions in the adult cat. Journal of Comparative Neurology 429: 221 - 241.

Huxlin K.R., Saunders R., Marchionini D., Pham H-A. and Merigan W.H. (2000) Perceptual deficits after lesions of inferotemporal cortex in macaques. Cerebral Cortex 10: 671 - 683.