Which term refers to the type of visual field defect caused by interruption of conduction in the optic pathway?

The term that refers to a type of visual field defect caused by interruption of conduction in the optic pathway is scotoma. A scotoma is an area of partial or complete loss of vision surrounded by a field of normal vision. This condition arises when the optic nerve or the visual pathways are damaged, which disrupts the normal flow of visual information and creates a localized defect within the visual field.

Scotomas can occur in various conditions affecting the retina, optic nerve, or brain areas responsible for processing visual signals, such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, or multiple sclerosis. Identifying and evaluating scotomas is important in diagnosing underlying ocular or neurological conditions.

Other terms listed, such as tropia and phoria, pertain to strabismus conditions involving misalignment of the eyes rather than defects in the visual field itself. Nystagmus refers to involuntary eye movements that can affect visual acuity but does not directly describe a defect in the visual field. Therefore, scotoma is the most accurate term to describe defects in vision caused by interruptions in the optic pathway.