eli5 – Why is it easier to focus on blurry objects using your peripheral vision?

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For example, when I walk through my dark room at night I can see my path (avoiding furniture etc.) more clearly when I only use my peripheral vision.

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Depends, what do you mean by blurry. Still, or moving? Like the other comments mention it’s about rods and cones. Cones are sharper, do colours but are only located at your precise point of focus; this is a very small area. Rods are everywhere, fast, don’t tire. If it’s blurry because of movement this will be because of faster rods. But also because were are designed to track; and speculate trajectory of predators and prey. Its often not so much sharper sight, but a prediction from our brains. We are also better at seeing things in motion. Looking at a static picture you’ll start to see interference. Peripheral vision is more prediction than actual seeing. We’re just quite good ad it

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