The goal of our research is to understand the scientific basis for the epi-retinal prosthesis system, an implantable device that holds promise to provide useful vision to millions of people worldwide who suffer from macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa. Our emphasis is in: a) digital image processing for saliency algorithm; b) fundamental mechanical properties of eye tissues; c) neural response of retina to electrical stimulation; d) electrochemical basis for stimulating electrodes; e) functional imaging for cortical plasticity.