On Vision and the Arts | Michael Marmor, MD

Few would dispute that vision is just about our most important sense. From a neurophysiological perspective, more than half of the human brain is dedicated to processing vision. But beyond that, it also enables us to meaningfully interact with the world and the people around us, and allows us to engage in many of the activities that bring us joy in life. Joining us in this episode is Michael Marmor, MD, Professor Emeritus and former chair of ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine. In addition to his significant contributions to our understanding of diseases of the retina, Dr. Marmor is a patron of the arts who has published several books on vision and visual art. Over the course of our conversation, we discuss the fascinating inner workings of eyesight, how art appreciation can help create better doctors, and how Dr. Marmor accompanies patients facing vision loss.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• How a desire to “wear multiple hats” — researcher, surgeon, educator — led Dr. Marmor to ophthalmology - 2:04
• A brief exploration of the sense of sight - 4:01
• Dr. Marmor’s research on the retina and why he believes a thorough understanding of how diseases work is critical for physicians caring for patients - 8:07
• Why helping a patient understand their condition provides comfort, even with serious illnesses - 11:53
• Dr. Marmor’s passion for the fine arts and how his expertise in vision complemented this passion - 18:23
• What art appreciation can do for physicians and how it gives us new ways of thinking and seeing - 23:52
• How medical curricula can be improved to integrate the arts and humanities, and the importance of an emphasis on breadth in addition to technical depth - 33:06
• Why an appreciation for all kinds of art keeps us in touch with culture -  46:29

Dr. Marmor is the author of several books on art, including The Eye of the Artist (1996), Degas Through His Own Eyes: Visual Disability and the Late Style of Degas (2006), and The Artist’s Eyes (2009).

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