New Museum of the Eye Exhibit Brings Images to Life for the Visually Impaired and Blind

The Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye^® today introduced a first for San Francisco, a tactile exhibit to improve accessibility and inclusion for those who are blind and visually impaired. The exhibit features four new displays that use 3D, tactile renderings of images, braille, and sound to deliver visual information. Open now and free to the public, the exhibit honors the legacy of Jay M. Galst, MD, a noted ophthalmologist, ophthalmic historian and avid collector of coins, tokens and medals related to the eye.

“Museums are places where art and objects are mainly experienced by sight. That doesn’t leave a lot of opportunity for those with low vision or blindness to enjoy museums on their own,” said Jenny Benjamin, director of the Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye. “We were looking for ways to bring more sensory stimulation to our museum, so we parterned with Tactile Images, a company that specializes in creating accessible art and photography for the blind. This is also the first time we’ve introduced braille to our museum, something many visitors have said they would be interested in experiencing.”

In addition to using braille, the displays incorporate hand-activated sensors that play audio descriptions of the corresponding 3-D visual. Two of the tactile displays allow you to explore the anatomy of the eye and color vision in animals.

The other displays feature enlarged 3-D renderings of coins from Dr. Galst’s collection. After Dr. Galst died of the coronavirus in 2020, his family donated his extensive historical eye-related coin collection to the museum. In 2013, Dr. Galst and Peter van Alfen, chief curator of the American Numismatic Society, wrote a book about his collection, “Ophthalmologia, Optica et Visio in Nummis,” which translates as Ophthalmology, Optics and Vision in Numismatics.

The exhibit was made possible by Dr. Galst’s wife, Joann Paley Galst, PhD, and son, David Paley Galst.

To get involved with current or future museum projects, contact the American Academy of Ophthalmology Foundation.

The Museum of the Eye is located on the ground floor of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood. For more information about the museum, visit: www.aao.org/museum-media-kit

About Tactile Images

Tactile Images, a subsidiary of 3DPhotoWorks LLC, is dedicated to breaking down barriers for blind and low-vision individuals in a predominantly sighted world. The company provides transformative experiences through innovative tactile printing techniques, offering tactile exploration of visual and graphic materials accompanied by braille text, audio narratives, and scents. With a focus on accessibility, empowerment, and inclusivity, Tactile Images is committed to making knowledge and experiences accessible to all. www.tactileimages.com.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart^® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.

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