Screening tool · 2 min
Peripheral Vision Awareness Test
Focus on a center target and tap when shapes appear in your side vision.
What this test measures
A short, educational reflection on how aware you are of objects appearing in your side vision while focusing on a center target.
Why it matters
Peripheral vision supports driving, sports, walking, and daily safety. Changes in side vision can sometimes be linked to glaucoma, retinal conditions, or neurological issues.
Who may benefit
Anyone curious about their visual awareness — particularly drivers, athletes, and those with a family history of glaucoma.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only and does not replace a professional eye examination. Screen brightness, calibration, lighting and viewing distance all influence results. For an accurate assessment, request a comprehensive exam with Dr. Roxanna Gangi, your trusted Optometrist in Toronto and York Region.
How to take this test
- Hold your device about 40 cm (arm's length) away.
- Keep your eyes fixed on the center dot the entire time.
- Tap the screen the moment you notice a shape flash near the edges.
- Try not to move your eyes — only your awareness matters.
Take the test
Peripheral awareness exercise
Stare at the center dot. Tap the screen as soon as you notice a shape appear at the edges.
Why Peripheral Vision Matters
Peripheral vision is the part of your sight outside the very center. It is responsible for detecting movement, navigating crowded spaces, and reacting to objects entering your field of view — from a cyclist beside your car to a ball in your peripheral view during sports.
Conditions That Can Affect Side Vision
- Glaucoma — often affects peripheral vision before central vision.
- Retinal conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa.
- Stroke or neurological conditions affecting visual pathways.
- Severe diabetic retinopathy or retinal detachment.
Patients in Toronto, Aurora, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Newmarket, and across York Region, Ontario can book a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Roxanna Gangi, Optometrist to investigate any concerns about side vision.
These online eye tests and assessments are for educational purposes only. They do not diagnose eye disease, measure prescriptions, or replace a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist. If you experience sudden vision loss, flashes of light, trauma, severe eye pain, or urgent symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Frequently asked questions
Want a real, in-person assessment?
Online tools are a great starting point, but a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Roxanna Gangi can detect conditions that screen-based tests cannot — including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and early macular changes.