What can the term "visual acuity" best be defined as?

Visual acuity refers to the sharpness and clarity of vision, which is a critical aspect of how well individuals can see fine details. It is commonly assessed in eye examinations and is an essential measure of visual performance. Higher visual acuity indicates a greater ability to discern objects and their features clearly. This is important not only in everyday activities such as reading and driving but also affects overall quality of life.

Depth of field pertains to the range of distance within a scene that appears sharp, which does not directly relate to how clearly an individual can see specific details. Color perception involves the ability to perceive and differentiate colors, differing from the clarity aspect of visual acuity. Contrast ability refers to the ability to distinguish between different shades and tones in a visual context, which also does not encompass the overall sharpness and clarity of vision that visual acuity specifically describes.