peripheral vision

This term describes the outer edges of the visual field, contrasting with central or foveal vision. It is characterized by a lower resolution and a lack of color detail, but it is highly sensitive to motion and flicker, making it essential for detecting threats or changes in the environment without turning the head.

In a medical or clinical context, the loss of this ability is referred to as tunnel vision. While the term is primarily biological, it is occasionally used in a figurative sense to describe a narrow focus or a failure to consider the broader context of a situation, though the literal physiological meaning is far more common.