When we think about our vision, we often focus on what we see directly in front of us. Yet a large part of our visual perception comes from our peripheral vision. This field of vision, which encompasses everything we can perceive without moving our eyes, plays an essential role in our daily lives.
What is peripheral vision?
Peripheral vision is the ability to perceive objects and movements outside our central field of vision. It is determined by the extent of the visual field, which can reach up to 180 degrees for both eyes combined. This vision is processed mainly by the peripheral retina, where photoreceptor cells called rods outnumber cones.
What can we perceive with our peripheral vision?
Peripheral vision is not as precise as central vision, which relies on the fovea (an area of the retina rich in cones, responsible for detail and color perception). However, it excels in several aspects:
- Motion detection: Our peripheral vision is particularly sensitive to movement, enabling us to react quickly to visual stimuli. This is a valuable asset for road safety, sports and survival in general.
- Night vision: Rods, abundant in the peripheral retina, are more efficient at capturing light in low light. As a result, our peripheral vision is often better than our central vision in the dark.
- Perception of shapes and silhouettes: Although details are blurred, we can discern shapes and silhouettes in our peripheral field, which helps us navigate our environment without looking directly at objects.
- Colour sensitivity: Peripheral vision is less able to perceive precise colours, as it contains few cones. However, it can detect certain intense colour contrasts.
Why is peripheral vision important?
Our peripheral vision plays a crucial role in many everyday activities:
- Driving: It enables us to spot other vehicles, pedestrians and potential hazards without taking our eyes off the road.
- Sports and physical activity: Whether tracking a ball in soccer or avoiding an opponent in basketball, good peripheral vision improves responsiveness and performance.
- Reading and concentration: It helps us follow one line of text while preparing to read the next, facilitating fluency.
- Social interaction: We perceive visual cues, such as gestures or facial expressions of people around us, even without looking directly at them.
- Movement and environment: Peripheral vision helps us to move around in the environment around us. It becomes all the more important when an ocular pathology such as macular degeneration affects central vision.
Can peripheral vision be improved?
Yes, it is possible to improve peripheral perception through targeted exercises:
- Visual scanning exercises: fix on a central point and try to detect objects around it without moving your eyes.
- Training with specific games: Certain sports (such as tennis or basketball) and vision training applications help to develop better perception.
- Mindfulness and visual attention practices: Focusing on your overall environment rather than just on one point can stimulate peripheral vision.
When should you consult an optometrist?
If you notice a reduction in your field of vision or difficulty perceiving movement to the sides, it's best to consult an optometrist. Certain health problems, such as glaucoma or retinitis pigmentosa, can affect peripheral vision and require early treatment.
Peripheral vision is essential, helping us to interact with our environment. Although often underestimated, it plays a fundamental role in our safety, physical performance and quality of life. By recognizing its importance and adopting strategies to improve it, we can optimize our visual experience and well-being on a daily basis.
