Final answer:
In vehicular terms, a blind spot is an area around the vehicle that is not visible to the driver and requires awareness and physical checks to maintain safe forward visibility. The term also refers to an area in the visual field that lacks light sensitivity due to the optic nerve's connection to the retina.
Step-by-step explanation:
A blind spot is an area around the vehicle that cannot be directly observed by the driver while at the controls and under existing circumstances. Blind spots can occur for various reasons, such as the design of a vehicle or the absence of or improper adjustment of mirrors. To safely operate a vehicle and maintain forward visibility, a driver needs to be aware of these blind spots and may need to physically turn to observe these areas, especially before changing lanes or merging.
In terms of vision health, the term "blind spot" can also refer to an area in the visual field that is not sensitive to light, usually occurring where the optic nerve connects to the retina in the eye. This blind spot does not typically noticeably impair vision, as each eye compensates for the blind spot of the other.