Editing Peripheral vision (section)

==Characteristics==
The loss of peripheral vision while retaining central vision is known as [[tunnel vision]], and the loss of central vision while retaining peripheral vision is known as [[central scotoma]]{{cn|date=July 2022}}.

Peripheral vision is weak in [[human]]s, especially at distinguishing [[Visual acuity|detail]], [[color vision|color]], and shape. This is because the density of receptor and ganglion cells in the [[retina]] is greater at the center and lowest at the edges, and, moreover, the [[Cortical magnification|representation in the visual cortex]] is much smaller than that of the fovea<ref name="StrasburgerRentschler2011" /> (see [[visual system]] for an explanation of these concepts). The distribution of receptor cells across the retina is different between the two main types, [[rod cell]]s and [[cone cell]]s. Rod cells are unable to distinguish color and peak in density in the near periphery (at 18° eccentricity), while cone cell density is highest in the very center, the [[Fovea centralis|fovea]]. Note that this does not mean  that there is a lack of cones representing in the periphery; colors can be distinguished in peripheral vision.<ref name="Tyler2015">{{cite journal|last1=Tyler|first1=Christopher|title=Peripheral Color Demo|journal=i-Perception|volume=6|issue=6|year=2015|pages=5|doi=10.1177/2041669515613671|pmid=27551354|pmc=4975120|doi-access=free}}</ref>

[[Flicker fusion threshold]]s decline towards the periphery, but do that at a lower rate than other visual functions; so the periphery has a relative advantage at noticing flicker.<ref name="StrasburgerRentschler2011" /> Peripheral vision is also relatively good at detecting motion (a feature of [[Magnocellular cell|Magno cells]]).

Central vision is relatively weak in the dark (scotopic vision) since cone cells lack sensitivity at low light levels. Rod cells, which are concentrated further away from the fovea, operate better than cone cells in low light.  This makes peripheral vision useful for detecting faint light sources at night (like faint stars).  Because of this, pilots are taught to use peripheral vision to scan for aircraft at night. {{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}

[[Image:Eye movements of a chess champion nc.jpg|thumb|250px| left |Ovals A, B and C show which portions of the chess situation chess masters can reproduce correctly with their peripheral vision. Lines show path of foveal fixation during 5 seconds when the task is to memorize the situation as correctly as possible. Image from<ref name="Hans-Werner Hunziker 2006">Hans-Werner Hunziker, (2006) Im Auge des Lesers: foveale und periphere Wahrnehmung – vom Buchstabieren zur Lesefreude [In the eye of the reader: foveal and peripheral perception - from letter recognition to the joy of reading] Transmedia Stäubli Verlag Zürich 2006 {{ISBN|978-3-7266-0068-6}}</ref> based on data by<ref>DE GROOT, A. : Perception and memory in chess; an experimental study of the heuristics of the professional eye. Mimeograph; Psychologisch Laboratorium Universiteit van Amsterdam, Seminarium September 1969</ref>]]

The distinctions between [[foveal]] (sometimes also called central) and peripheral vision are reflected in subtle physiological and anatomical differences in the [[visual cortex]]. Different visual areas contribute to the processing of visual information coming from different parts of the visual field, and a complex of visual areas located along the banks of the interhemispheric fissure (a deep groove that separates the two brain hemispheres) has been linked to peripheral vision. It has been suggested that these areas are important for fast reactions to visual stimuli in the periphery, and monitoring body position relative to gravity.<ref name="PalmerRosa2006">{{cite journal | author=Palmer SM, Rosa MG | year=2006 | title=A distinct anatomical network of cortical areas for analysis of motion in far peripheral vision | journal=Eur J Neurosci | volume=24 |pages=2389–405 | doi=10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.05113.x | pmid=17042793 | issue=8| s2cid=21562682 }}</ref>