Choosing to Reduce Peripheral Input

Vision is like breath: we have a lot of influence over how we breathe and how we look. We can deftly change where we look, with what focus, with what part of the eyeball, and perhaps most importantly, with what level of attention. But we do lose peripheral vision over time. It isn't all hardware and wetware aging: some of this is lifestyle and some is choice. If the brain is having trouble keeping up with visual data, deliberately limiting or de-emphasizing peripheral stimulus might be a reasonable choice. One person living with dementia described wearing a baseball cap low over her eyes in order to limit the information coming in from the periphery. Peripheral data is just too much, especially when in a fast-moving car. Movement 'coming at you' from the sides can be startling. The peripheral information is actually best for catching movement, and that exact signal can be stressful, especially if the person's processing is confused. I see a reinforcing cycle of anxiety with its foveal tendencies, prioritizing of foveal information for tasks and to reduce startling, increased anxiety and so on. On the one hand, I respect the choice, with limited cognitive resources, to downplay the peripheral gaze. At the same time, I wish it were possible to keep the affect of the peripheral gaze — the calm, the sense of context, the holistic perspective. Perhaps it is possible?