May 31 - July 31, 2016

The Museum of Arts and Sciences (MAS) will be featuring a dynamic 3-D photography exhibit that explores the human eye and features highly detailed images that are captured through state-of-the-art medical photography equipment by Kenneth Thompson. This Atlanta-based, award-winning ophthalmic photographer has photographed more than 100,000 patients throughout his 35-year career.

Photographer and medical illustrator Kenneth Thompson works in the highly specialized field of ophthalmic photography. He uses high-tech equipment to document the inner workings of the human eye. These images help inform the ophthalmologist of the health condition of the patient’s eyes. Thompson is considered, by his peers, to be an “eye imaging expert.” He earned a B.S. in Medical Illustration from Clark College and is a member of the Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society.

This exhibit consists of 50 photographs of retinal images used by ophthalmologists.  Each image is accompanied by a brief explanation of the disease present in the photograph.  There are 20 11×14-inch images and 30 16×20-inch, parallel-view or stereoscopic 3D images.  Visual artist and Fulton County Arts Education Coordinator Brian Hebert is the co-curator of the show, working alongside Thompson.

“This exhibit is a prime example of the ‘STE+aM’ based plan our museum works very hard to follow,” explains Sherry Singleton, MAS Director of Communications. “These photographs are rich with scientific study and include the added flair of artistic thought and expression.”

Viewers can get a 3-D look at the internal structure of the eyes and gain insight on how signs of eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration appear in eyes and how chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure damage the eyes.

“This is an outstanding exhibit for educators and their students. It is scientific, visual and engaging and therefore educational.  The 3-D pictures will open kids’ eyes to another world of existence…the rare career opportunity of ophthalmic photography and medical illustration,” Thompson explains.

Special Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor of this exhibition: