Peripheral Vision

Definition

Peripheral vision refers to the ability to see objects and movement outside of our direct line of sight. It is enabled by the cells in the outer regions of the retina that are responsible for detecting light and motion.

Related terms

Retina:

The retina is a layer at the back of the eye containing specialized cells called photoreceptors that convert light into electrical signals for processing by the brain.

Rods:

Rods are photoreceptor cells in the retina that are highly sensitive to dim light and are responsible for peripheral vision and black-and-white vision.

Cones:

Cones are another type of photoreceptor cells in the retina that are responsible for color vision and visual acuity.