You can see around you even when you look straight ahead, right? Let's talk about peripheral vision.

Have you ever been walking down the street and suddenly stopped when you saw a car coming from the side? Or have you ever been sitting in a room and looked ahead and seen someone walking out of the corner of your eye? That's what we call peripheral vision . We all use this ability in our daily lives without realizing it. So, let's talk about it in a little more detail today.

What is peripheral vision?

Simply put, when you look straight ahead without moving your head, everything you see to the sides, above, and below is part of your peripheral vision. This is why we say "seeing out of the corner of your eye."

What you see when you focus directly on something is called your central vision . This vision is always the clearest and sharpest.

Imagine you are reading a book. Your eyes are fully focused on the text. That is your primary vision. But at the same time, you can barely see things beyond the book, like the bottle of water on the table, or someone walking by. That is peripheral vision.

Why is this vision important to us?

Visual acuity is very important for our daily activities as well as for safety.

Imagine you are driving a car. You are looking straight ahead at the road. But it is because of your peripheral vision that you are able to be alert to vehicles coming from either side and people crossing the road. Similarly, a cricket batsman, while concentrating on hitting the ball, has an idea of ​​where the fielders are because of this vision. It is also because of this vision that helps you avoid bumping into something on the side when you are walking.

What parts of the eye provide this vision?

Our eyes are like a camera. Inside the eye, at the back, there is a screen called the retina . It contains millions of cells that capture light. The images of what we see are recorded on this screen.

• The part of the retina that is in the center, and which gives us the sharpest and clearest vision, is called the macula .
• Right in the middle of it is a very sensitive spot called the fovea . That's where our central vision comes from.

So where does peripheral vision come from? It comes from the central part of the retina, the macula, and the surrounding areas. Although those areas have light-sensitive cells, they cannot provide as sharp vision as the fovea. That is why things around you are not as clear as they are in the center.

What happens if you lose your vision?

This condition, where you lose your ability to see your surroundings and only see what is straight ahead, is called tunnel vision . Imagine rolling up a piece of paper and looking at the world through it. That's what it feels like. You can't see anything on either side. This can be a very dangerous condition, as it makes it very difficult to perform everyday tasks, especially driving and walking.

Is it normal to feel like you're just seeing things out of the corner of your eye?

Sometimes you may see things like small balls of thread, black dots, or spider webs floating in front of your eyes. We call these (Eye floaters) . As we age, the jelly-like substance inside our eyes (Vitreous Humor) shrinks a little. Then, small pieces of it break off and appear as floaters. Sometimes, you may also see flashes of light that look like lightning. These are usually not dangerous.

However, if you constantly see things that aren't really there—like shapes, lights, or lines—it's something to be concerned about.

• Maybe it's hallucinations .
• Or, it could be a condition like Charles Bonnet syndrome , where people with very poor eyesight see things that aren't there.

If you are experiencing these symptoms frequently, or if you are seeing more of them than before, it is best to see an eye specialist immediately and have your eyes checked. It is much more important to find out exactly what is going on from a doctor than to guess on your own.

How do you test this vision?

When you go to see an eye doctor, he or she will check your peripheral vision. There is a test called a Visual Field Test . All you have to do is stare at one spot without moving your head. Then they will ask you if you can see lights coming from around you. This is a very simple, painless test. This will tell you exactly how far you can see and if you have any vision problems.

How do you maintain good vision around your eyes?

Our eyes are a very valuable asset, so there are several things we can do to keep our vision healthy.

• Regular eye exams: It is very important to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist at least once a year, especially after the age of 40.
• A healthy lifestyle: It is very good to exercise well and eat a balanced diet (especially fruits, vegetables, and fish).
• Controlling body weight: Diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure caused by obesity can also affect the eyes.
• Protect your eyes: Wear a good pair of sunglasses when you're out in the sun. This will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

If you have any vision problems, talk to your doctor about them. Sometimes, special eye exercises (vision therapy) can help improve your vision.

Peripheral Vision, Tunnel Vision, Central Vision, Eye Health, Visual Field Test