What visual strategy is utilized in eccentric viewing?

Eccentric viewing is a visual strategy employed by individuals, particularly those with central vision loss, to enhance their ability to see objects by using their peripheral vision. This technique involves shifting the gaze away from the area of difficulty in order to use the intact peripheral vision to perceive visual information.

The process requires the individual to turn their head or trunk to align their peripheral vision with the object they wish to view. By doing this, they can effectively see objects that might be obscured or unclear when trying to look directly at them. This method helps in optimizing available vision despite the limitations caused by conditions such as macular degeneration.

Utilizing peripheral vision while turning the head or trunk is advantageous because it allows the individual to adapt their viewing strategies to best suit their specific visual impairments, enhancing their overall visual function and interaction with their environment. This approach can be particularly important in daily living activities, such as reading or navigating spaces.