This study investigated age-related differences in cortical activation during central and peripheral visual processing using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Thirty-four participants (14 young adults and 20 older adults) viewed dynamic visual stimuli designed to engage their foveal or peripheral vision. In young adults, peripheral viewing elicited focused and lateralized activation in early visual areas, whereas older adults exhibited broader and more bilateral engagement, particularly in the occipital and dorsal parietal cortices. This pattern aligns with the HAROLD model and may reflect compensatory recruitment in the elderly. No significant group differences were found during the central vision tasks, suggesting the relative preservation of foveal processing with age. Between-group analysis revealed enhanced dorsal pathway activation in older adults during peripheral viewing, supporting the notion of adaptive neural reorganization. These findings underscore the need to distinguish between central and peripheral vision in aging research and suggest that interventions targeting peripheral visual function may be beneficial in supporting visuocognitive performance in older populations.