eccentric fixation

Eccentric fixation is the use of a non-foveal retinal area, known as the preferred retinal locus (PRL), for fixation instead of the central fovea. It occurs in conditions where the fovea is damaged or not being used effectively, such as macular degeneration, macular holes, or amblyopia. The PRL location can vary but is often in the upper or upper-left retinal area near the scotoma. Eccentric fixation allows the patient to utilize a healthier retinal region for fixation and maintain some visual function, though the PRL used may differ for different visual tasks.