Professor Laurence Harris, director of York University’s Centre for Vision Research, has been awarded $790,891 in funding by the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Leading Edge & New Initiatives Fund to support the Full-Field Perceptual Environment (F2PE) project. The funding will be used to build a suite of state-of-the-art display systems to investigate peripheral vision: our wide visual field ranging up to 110 degrees on each side.

Peripheral vision, beyond the central area traditionally considered in vision research, plays a critical role including controlling posture, determining orientation and guiding locomotion and driving; yet the role of this enormous visual area in these functions is largely unknown. Diseases and other factors associated with aging (even wearing glasses) can impact peripheral vision with poorly understood effects.

“I am delighted that the Canada Foundation for Innovation has recognized the work of Professor Laurence Harris and his colleagues through this award,” said Robert Haché, York’s vice-president research & innovation. “CFI’s investment in state-of-the-art infrastructure helps support innovative research programs underway at the University.”

Understanding the role of the whole visual field will contribute to the health of Canadians and to the safety and effectiveness of workers in challenging environments. Findings from the project will inform the development of health technologies to ensure that appropriate information is available in the peripheral field to aid balance and movement, and will support the development of digital media displays such as large-screen cinemas and virtual reality environments that will provide more realistic simulations for use in training and serious gaming.