The role of the visual field size in artificial vision

Abstract

Objective. Artificial vision has been and still is the subject of intense research. The ultimate goal is to help blind people in their daily life. Approaches to artificial vision, including visual prostheses and optogenetics, have strongly focused on restoring high visual acuity for object recognition and reading. Consequently, clinical trials were primarily focused on these parameters. Approach. Alternatively, enlarging the visual field (VF) size could significantly improve artificial vision. Main results. I propose that approaches towards artificial vision address the challenge of creating this rudimental form of sight within a large VF. Significance. Enlarging the VF size will enable users to improve their mobility and perform visually-driven search tasks. Eventually, it could make artificial vision more efficient, comfortable and acceptable from the user’s point of view.