SCIENCE OF SIGHT

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The Science of Sight might save your life

It sounds a little overdramatic, but it is true: the science of sight can save your life. Stop thinking of the eye from the romantic perspective and start thinking of it as a target acquisition machine. The primary focus area of perception is about the size of a quarter at arm’s length. For those who are unfamiliar with pocket change, a quarter is approximately a third larger than a thumbnail.   Everything outside this focus area is blurry, and, for the most part, our brain tends to ignore it.  The one part of this low-detail area we do react to is motion. All this seems engineered not to overload the sensory flow and crash our multiple processing CPUs. 

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The Science of Sight and why eye movement is important

One doesn’t merely look at something while riding or driving. Our vision’s center focuses on perceiving detail and frequently darts from one point of attention to another. This shifting is often guided by experience, such as checking taillights or stoplights, while peripheral vision stays alert for motion and notifies the center focus area accordingly. However, there are times when the lower brain stem takes control of our eyes, seeking movement or signs of danger. These primordial instincts are hardwired within us due to our evolutionary history. Despite being trained or deeply ingrained, these brain functions can be overridden by fatigue, distractions, or daydreaming, leading to potentially catastrophic consequences.

For instance, daydreaming can shut down these functions, while training our focus can heighten them. As we approach an intersection, our peripheral vision detects motion, allowing our eyes to focus precisely on the traffic ahead. Our brain evaluates the risk of proceeding through a green light, considering factors like a child playing on the sidewalk or someone texting while driving. Meanwhile, our eyes rapidly shift between various points: the traffic light, the other side of the intersection, oncoming traffic, and vehicles alongside and behind us. This is the ideal way to utilize our vision effectively.

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You are not on a playground

Think of city streets and the open road as a battle zone… not a playground. Each intersection could be our last, and one of the best ways to avoid this tragedy is to remember how our eyes work… the science of sight. By understanding how our eyes work, we can train ourselves more effectively to be diligent. All the technology in the world won’t help if you focus on the wrong things and don’t see the imminent danger coming down upon you. Target fixation has caused many fighter pilots to crash their planes as they become completely focused on the target.

In short, it is up to us to understand how the eye works and our limitations and misconceptions, such as how bright, bold, and Razzle-Dazzle colors and patterns make vehicles easier to see. We should use this information wisely and train ourselves to be more observant, more diligent, and, most importantly, safer.

Ride safe,
Chuck