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

Question

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.

In: 1

Answer 1

There are two kinds of light-sensitive cells in the retina of your eye (the layer at the back of the eye): rods and cones. Cones are concentrated at the center, while rods are everywhere else. Cones detect color but are not as sensitive to light. Rods are better with low light but don’t detect color. Your peripheral vision is the rods.