What is the term for nearsightedness?

The term for nearsightedness is myopia. Myopia is a common vision condition where objects nearby are seen clearly, but distant objects appear blurred. This occurs because the eye is too long relative to the focusing power of the cornea and lens, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina rather than on it.

In contrast, macular degeneration refers to a condition involving the deterioration of the macula, leading to loss of central vision. Presbyopia is an age-related condition that affects the ability to focus on near objects, typically becoming noticeable in middle age. Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is the opposite of myopia, where distant objects may be seen more clearly than nearby ones because light rays focus behind the retina. Understanding these terms is vital for distinguishing between different refractive errors in the eye.