central scotoma
depressed vision in the central part of the visual field, which may be either absolute (total loss of vision) or relative (partial loss of vision). When caused by unilateral injury to or disease of the peripheral visual system (e.g., the retina or optic nerve), the central visual field of only one eye is affected. When associated with injury to the central visual system (i.e., beyond the optic nerve, in the brain), the central visual fields of both eyes are affected, and patients have great difficulty in guiding their fixation, localizing objects, reading, and recognizing faces.