What is myopia?

• A. Farsightedness
• B. Nearsightedness
• C. Color blindness
• D. Astigmatism

Answer: (B)

Myopia is a refractive error in which distant objects look blurry while nearby objects remain clear. This happens because the eye’s optical system focuses light in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The result is a blurred image when looking at things far away, while close-up vision stays sharp.

Think of it as the eye having too much focusing power or being slightly too long, so the image falls short of the retina. Corrective lenses that are concave (they spread light out a bit before it enters the eye) help push the focus back onto the retina, improving distance vision. Near vision remains good because the eye can still focus well up close without extra help.

For contrast, farsightedness (hyperopia) involves trouble with near vision, not distance; astigmatism causes blurred vision due to an irregular cornea or lens shape, and color blindness affects color perception rather than focus.