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Optometry and Vision Science Research Guide: Optics

Research resources and information for vision science.

Optics is a branch of physics focused on the study of light—how it is generated, propagates, interacts with matter, and is detected. This field explores the behaviour and properties of light, including both visible and non-visible forms of electromagnetic radiation, and underpins many technologies such as cameras, eyeglasses, microscopes, and telescopes. Optics is a dynamic, interdisciplinary field with applications ranging from fundamental science to cutting-edge technologies.

Types of Optics

Branch Light model Key phenomena
Wave optics Wave Interference, diffraction, polarization
Ray optics  Ray (geometrical)

Reflection, refraction, image formation
Adaptive optics Real-time correction Dynamic aberration correction

Foundational reading

Boundary conditions and controls

Computational optics

Related guides

For teachers and instructors

Literature, student orientation to optics

Avudainayagam, K., & Avudainayagam, C. (2006). Simple experiments in optics for undergraduate optometry students using He-Ne laser. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 89(1), 47–48. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1444-0938.2006.00009_3.x

Bakholdin, A., Voznesenskaya, A., Romanova, G., Ivanova, T., Tolstoba, N., Ezhova, K., Garshin, A., Trifonov, O., Sazonenko, D., & Ekimenkova, A. (2017). Online course Geometrical Optics for undergraduate students. 10452, 104521S-104521S – 7. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2266491

Baldwin, G., Snchez, R., Asmad, M., Tucto, K., & Gonzales, F. (2010). Simulation as a tool for teaching spectrographs optics to undergraduate physics students. 7652(1), 76522W-76522W – 10. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.871038

Chu, H.-E., & Treagust, D. F. (2014). Secondary Students’ Stable and Unstable Optics Conceptions Using Contextualized Questions. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 23(2), 238–251. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-013-9472-6

Crawford, G. P., & Suuberg, E. M. (2004). Optics-inspired student entrepreneurship. Optics and Photonics News, 15(8), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.1364/OPN.15.8.000026

Danvers, E. (2021). Individualised and instrumentalised? Critical thinking, students and the optics of possibility within neoliberal higher education. Critical Studies in Education, 62(5), 641–656. https://doi.org/10.1080/17508487.2019.1592003

Dark ML, Merriweather CM. Student learning through independent projects in introductory optics. In: Vol 12297. SPIE; 2022:122972F-122972F-2. doi:10.1117/12.2635589

Donnelly, M. J., & Donnelly, J. (2019). Enlightening students: Optics applications in the math classroom. 11143. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2523561

Etkina, E., Planinsic, G., & Vollmer, M. (2013). A simple optics experiment to engage students in scientific inquiry. American Journal of Physics, 81(11), 815–822. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.4822176

Fatima, W. O., Sadiyah, L. H., Siahaan, P., Samsudin, A., Novia, H., & Suhendi, E. (2021). Enhancing students collaboration skills in learning geometrical optics trough the ICARE learning model at Kabawo. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2098(1), 12012. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2098/1/012012

Garmire E. Nonlinear Optics: A Student’s Perspective—With Python Problems and Examples. American Journal of Physics. 2018;86(9):718-720. doi:10.1119/1.5049589

Hanif, S., Wijaya, A. F. C., Winarno, N., & Salsabila, E. R. (2019). The use of STEM project-based learning toward students’ concept mastery in learning light and optics. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1280(3), 32051. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1280/3/032051

James, M. C. (2011). Optics Demonstration with Student Eyeglasses Using the Inquiry Method. The Physics Teacher, 49(6), 357–359. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3628264

Masters, M. F., & Grove, T. T. (2014). Using concept building in optics to improve student research skills. 9289, 928915-928915–928924. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2070783

Nakamura, C. M., Cassar, M. T., & Brady, B. A. (2019). A pilot study of optics laboratory activities impact on students connections between theory and experiment. 11143. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2523598

Putra, A. S. U., Hamidah, I., & Nahadi. (2020). The development of five-tier diagnostic test to identify misconceptions and causes of students’ misconceptions in waves and optics materials. 1521(2), 22020. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1521/2/022020

Putri, R. A. H., Widodo, A., & Rusyati, L. (2021). Developing a Four-Tier Diagnostic Test to identify students’ conception on light and optic topic. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2098(1), 12008. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2098/1/012008

Thapa, D., & Lakshminarayanan, V. (2014). Light and optics conceptual evaluation findings from first year optometry students. 9289, 928919-928919–8. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2070519

Wardani, T. B., Widodo, A., & Winarno, N. (2017). Using Inquiry-based Laboratory Activities in Lights and Optics Topic to Improve Students’ Conceptual Understanding. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 895(1), 12152. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/895/1/012152

Xu, L., Prain, V., & Speldewinde, C. (2021). Challenges in designing and assessing student interdisciplinary learning of optics using a representation construction approach. International Journal of Science Education, 43(6), 844–867. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2021.1889070

Zhou, Y., Hu, Y., Dong, L., Liu, M., Zhao, Y., Kong, L., Hao, Q., & Huang, Y. (2017). Why not serve an educational buffet for students? Blended learning in optics experimental education. 10452, 1045210-1045210–1045216. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2268864

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