What is the term for an area of complete or partial blindness in an otherwise normal visual field?

The correct term for an area of complete or partial blindness within an otherwise normal visual field is scotoma. A scotoma can manifest as a small spot in the visual field where vision is reduced or absent, while surrounding areas retain normal vision. This condition can occur for various reasons, including retinal diseases, optic nerve disorders, or neurological conditions affecting the visual pathways.

In contrast, terms like "visual field loss" and "field defect" are more general descriptors that encompass a broader spectrum of visual field abnormalities, which may not specifically refer to the localized nature of scotomas. "Blind spot" typically refers to the specific area in the visual field where the optic nerve exits the eye, which is devoid of photoreceptor cells. This physiological blind spot is not the same as a scotoma, as it serves a specific anatomical function rather than representing a pathological condition.