2389 - Peripheral Vision and the Street Environment

Abstract

Background Normally, we see the street through our high-resolution, high colour-sensitive foveal vision and it is this that provides the definition of what we see – the contrasts between colours, the edges and surfaces we need to see to enjoy or avoid. This part of our vision is served by half the photoreceptors in the eye and these are concentrated in an area of less than 1% of the surface of the retina at the back of the eye. The other half are less colour sensitive, lower resolution, and are spread across the rest of the retina, generally becoming less densely located towards the outer edge. These receptors are, however, well-attuned to detect movement. This research project aim to explores the way in which our peripheral vision contributes to our perception of the street environment and it does provide information about the environment which can helps in our interpretation of the street environment. Methods We designed experiment to test what participant could see with their peripheral vision when their foveal vision is paying attention elsewhere. Firstly, we asked participants to participate in imaging and testing of their peripheral retina. We used a non-invasive imaging method called OPTOMAP, an ultrawide-field laser scanning ophthalmoscope to capture colour and autofluorescent images of the back of the entire eye. For functional testing we then asked our participants to participate in wide field automated perimetry measurement called MonCV1. Both of these equipment are CE marked and used routinely in clinical setting. Results This research suggest that peripheral vision need to be considered in designing a healthy streets because peripheral vision influence various transport planning policies such as designing active travel mode to promote healthy living by reducing carbon emission, and tackling the obesity in the city. Conclusions Peripheral vision does provide a perceptual background against which the more detailed imaging of the foveal vision is presented; b) there was a consistency in some of the participants interpretation of the images and this was corresponded to their description of comfort; c) there was a correlation between the colour and pattern of the image with participant comfort and d) there is a link between the past memory of individual participant with their sense of comfort and translating the images by the peripheral vision. This research project suggested that peripheral vision has a direct influence of our perception in the environment such as street.