What type of action does Peripheral vision primarily assist with?

Peripheral vision primarily assists with seeing objects out of the direct line of sight. This type of vision allows us to detect movement and objects that are not in our direct focus but still within our visual field. It plays a crucial role in situation awareness, enabling us to notice potential hazards or important changes in our environment while focusing on a primary task.

Unlike the function associated with recognizing colors or focusing on details, which rely on the central vision that has high acuity, peripheral vision is more about motion detection and awareness of the surroundings. This capability is essential in many situations, such as driving, where being aware of peripheral objects is crucial for safety and navigation. Understanding the distance of nearby vehicles may involve peripheral vision, but it can also require other visual cues and more focused attention, while the primary role of peripheral vision is to detect those objects that might otherwise go unnoticed when our gaze is fixed straight ahead.