视觉系统是神经系统的一个组成部分，它使生物体具有了视知觉能力。 它使用可见光信息构筑机体对周围世界的感知。视觉系统具有将外部世界的二维投射重构为三维世界的能力。需要注意的是，不同物种所能感知的可见光处于光谱中的不同位置。例如，有些物种可以看到紫外部分，而另一些则可以看到红外部分。

本条目主要介绍哺乳动物的视觉系统，其他很多“高等”动物也具有与之类似的视觉系统。 哺乳动物的视觉系统包括：

视觉是五感之一

The visual system is the part of the central nervous system which gives organisms the ability to process visual detail, as well as enabling the formation of several non-image photo response functions. It detects and interprets information from visible light to build a representation of the surrounding environment. The visual system carries out a number of complex tasks, including the reception of light and the formation of monocular representations; the buildup of a nuclear binocular pe****tion from a pair of two dimensional projections; the identification and categorization of visual objects; assessing distances to and between objects; and guiding body movements in relation to the objects seen. The psychological process of visual information is known as visual pe****tion, a lack of which is called blindness. Non-image forming visual functions, independent of visual pe****tion, include the pupillary light reflex (PLR) and circadian photoentrainment.