akerosid,
A visual approach is one in which the vertical and horizontal profiles are flown without reference to electronic aids such as ILS or VOR/DME although, especially in a big jet, it would always be wise to have some reference of distance to touchdown, esp at night. That's as opposed to an approach in which the profile is followed by reference to, e.g. an ILS which gives a continual 'on track'/'on profile' indication.
An autoland may or may not be executed following an instrument approach.
Going downwind visual at Kansai for RW24 in the dark, one is over water and loses sight of the runway so the a/c position and rate of descent requires close monitoring until the threshold comes into sight on the final turn.