Which of the following terms describes the constriction of pupils?

The term that describes the constriction of pupils is miosis. This physiological response occurs when the muscles of the iris contract, leading to a decrease in the size of the pupil. Miosis can be a response to various stimuli, including increased light exposure or the use of certain medications, such as opiates or some topical eye drops. The constriction helps protect the retina from excessive light and can also improve depth of field in vision.

In contrast, mydriasis refers to the dilation of the pupil, cycloplegia is a paralysis of the ciliary muscle leading to a loss of accommodation, and scotoma is a partial loss of vision or a blind spot in the visual field. Each of these terms relates to different aspects of eye function and vision but does not pertain to pupil constriction.