[Reading speed in movement in the peripheral visual field].
BACKGROUND
Moving and distracting stimuli often occur in the peripheral visual field during visual tasks in daily life. Do they influence reading performance?


METHODS
In 30 normal subjects with a normal visual acuity we investigated eye movements by electronystagmography (ENG) during silent reading of a standardized text. The 17 degrees-wide text was presented at a distance of 1 m, ENG was recorded bitemporally. Blinks were monitored via vertical ENG electrodes. For surrounding stimulation we presented a bar stimulus moving at 30 degrees/s. Three experimental conditions were compared: [1] no peripheral motion, [2] peripheral motion to the right, and [3] peripheral motion to the left. We quantitatively analyzed reading speed and blink frequency.


RESULTS
Reading speed and blink frequency was nearly identical in the three experimental conditions, they differed by 1-8%.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the full periphery was stimulated, and the moving stimulus was noticed by our subjects, reading was not affected by surrounding optokinetic stimulation. Attentive reading does not appear to be affected by visual motion in the periphery.
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg.
D
D
Schmidt
J
J
Fehr
M
M
Bach
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001767:Blinking; D004584:Electronystagmography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009039:Motion Perception; D011930:Reaction Time; D011932:Reading; D012016:Reference Values; D014794:Visual Fields