Lambda waves are a specific type of brainwave activity primarily observed in the occipital region of the scalp during visual exploration. These waves are characterized by their sharp, negative polarity and their association with scanning eye movements when a subject views a patterned visual field. A common example occurs when someone is attentively reading a book or scrutinizing a complex scene.
The occurrence of these brainwaves suggests active processing of visual information and plays a role in visual perception and attention. Historically, their presence has been used in neurological assessments to understand visual system function. A notable benefit of studying them is the insight they provide into how the brain actively gathers and interprets visual data. Further research in this area enables understanding visual processing and associated cognitive functions.