The preferred retinal locus in macular disease: toward a consensus definition

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Vision Science

Background:

• Eccentric viewing (EV) and preferred retinal locus (PRL) have been studied for 50 years in macular disease.
• Existing definitions of EV and PRL lack clarity and standardization.
• This study addresses the need for a precise definition of PRL in macular disease research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine how active researchers define the preferred retinal locus (PRL).
• To propose a standardized definition of PRL based on expert consensus.
• To improve consistency in reporting EV and PRL in scientific literature.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a literature review of articles on PRL and EV.
• Contacted lead authors of identified publications for their definitions of PRL.
• Employed inductive qualitative research techniques to identify recurring themes in responses.

Main Results:

• Identified key themes in PRL definitions: retinal fixation area, task specificity, potential for multiple PRLs, well-defined retinal region, and consistent use across tests.
• Consensus emerged on several characteristics defining the PRL.
• Variability in definitions highlights the need for standardization.

Conclusions:

• A consensus-based definition of the preferred retinal locus (PRL) is proposed.
• Researchers are urged to carefully define PRL in experimental reports.
• Utilizing retinal imaging instruments is recommended for precise PRL localization.