How come i can see better out of the corner of my eyes, rather than head-on?!
Question:
How come i can see better out of the corner of my eyes, rather than head-on?
For example,
I'm aware that a computer screen refreshes itself via a single line a varrying speeds. But i noticed that looking at my computer screen directly, there is no evidence of this. i just get a perfect picture. However, when i look away, i can "see" the screen flickering, refreshing itself, out of the corner of my eye, But only if my pupil is aimed at another object not directly facing the screen.
I'm pretty sure this is a commonality, so what is the reason for this?
Answers:
Actually, the answer to this one is that you have better motion perception out of your side vision than you do your central vision. There are two types of cells in the back of your eye. M cells, and P cells. P cells are in the center of your vision. You use them to see color and details. M cells are on all sides of your center vision. They do most of your low light perception and motion detection. If you look off to the side of a dim star in the sky at night, you'll be able to see it better than if you look directly at it. Why? Because the increased density of M cells in the peripheral retina. By the same token, your brain is wired to sense motion from the sides faster than centrally to perceive any incoming dangers. We could get into the neurology of it, but.....since the flicker of a computer screen is interpreted as 'motion' by your retina, M cells work better.