Most of the images that reach our brain are picked-up by a small region located in the middle of our retina called the fovea. The information gathered is then sent to the visual cortex. This process allows a detailed analysis of the color, shape and movement of the images we see. A second visual pathway, extending from the retina to the midbrain, is responsible for peripheral vision i.e. detecting images that appear suddenly in our field of vision.

Understanding the basic mechanisms used by our brain to analyze, reconstruct and interpret the exterior world is key to understanding the nature and cause of visual impairment resulting from ischaemia (strokes), abnormal development (amblyopia), degenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease), use of therapeutics (epilepsy) and aging. This knowledge is also essential in order to develop better therapeutic solutions.