Which term describes the condition of nearsightedness?

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Prepare for the MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Myopia is the term that describes nearsightedness, a common refractive error in which close objects appear clearly while distant objects appear blurred. This condition occurs when the eye is either too long or when the cornea has too much curvature, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

In contrast, hyperopia refers to farsightedness, where distant objects may be seen more clearly than close objects. Presbyopia is a condition that occurs with aging, leading to difficulty focusing on close objects due to the loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye. Astigmatism results from an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, leading to distorted or blurred vision at all distances. Understanding these terms is key in distinguishing between different types of vision conditions.