Oh well. Turns out that my old little theory of the 'blind spot' is old hat and also common currency (if perhaps a little devalued) in psychological circles:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/06/09/the_odd_body_scotomizaton/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/06/09/the_odd_body_scotomizaton/