Altered Eye Movements During Reading With Simulated Central and Peripheral Visual Field Defects

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Foveal vision is crucial for detailed spatial information.
• Parafoveal and peripheral vision play significant roles in efficient reading.
• Understanding the impact of visual field defects on reading is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically investigate how different types and sizes of visual field defects affect visual information acquisition during reading.
• To analyze the impact of simulated central and peripheral scotomas on eye movement behavior during reading.

Main Methods:

• Gaze-contingent displays were used to simulate scotomas (2°–10°) in 24 adults during a reading task.
• Eye movements, including saccades and fixations, were recorded and analyzed.
• The relationship between scotoma size and oculomotor behavior was modeled.

Main Results:

• Peripheral scotoma sizes below 6° led to decreased saccade amplitude/velocity and increased fixation duration/count.
• Central scotoma size showed a more linear relationship with increased saccade amplitude/velocity, fixation duration, and regressive saccades.
• The impact of peripheral scotoma size on reading behavior followed an exponential function.

Conclusions:

• Central and peripheral vision loss have differential effects on reading behaviors.
• Findings underscore the importance of foveal, parafoveal, and peripheral vision in reading.
• Oculomotor adjustments may represent compensatory strategies for visual field loss during reading.