Central versus peripheral vision: evaluation of the residual function resulting from a uniocular macular scotoma.

This paper examines the contribution of the macular region to visual function. Several test targets were used to measure visual performance within 10 deg of the center of the fovea for normal observers and for an observer with a uniocular central 6-deg scotoma. We conclude that the nature of the test target is more important in the measurement of parafoveal than central vision and that the macular region contributes significantly to the visibility of objects as large as 2.5 deg.