Change in Contrast Sensitivity in the Peripheral Visual Field by Central Visual Task and Observation under the Condition with Eye Movements

Abstract

It is known that the ability to use peripheral vision changes when a central visual task exists. This suggests that the focus-of-attention in the central visual field causes a reduction in performance in the peripheral visual field. We studied how the load of attention in the central visual field when the eye moves would change sensitivity to chromatic and luminance contrast in the peripheral visual field. Our results showed that the load in the central visual field impaired sensitivity to chromatic and luminance contrast in the peripheral visual field, under the conditions with and without eye movements. This suggests that, even when the eye moves, the state of attention is the primary factor attending changes in the distribution of visual sensitivities across the visual field.