What is the term for the central area of the retina responsible for acute central vision?

The central area of the retina responsible for acute central vision is referred to as the fovea. This small, specialized region is located within the macula, which is the broader area of the retina that also contributes to central vision but is less specialized than the fovea itself. The fovea contains a high concentration of cone photoreceptors, which are critical for tasks requiring sharp vision, such as reading and recognizing faces.

While the macula encompasses the fovea and is important for vision, it is the fovea that specifically provides the clarity and detail needed for acute vision. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that contains all the photoreceptors but does not refer specifically to the area responsible for acute vision. The choroid is a layer of blood vessels that supplies nutrients to the retina and is unrelated to the specific functions of the macula or fovea.