US High School Psychology Practice Exam

In terms of visual acuity, what does nearsightedness refer to?

1. Poor vision at a distance

2. Poor vision up close

3. Blurriness with high contrast

4. Clear vision at all distances

The correct answer is: Poor vision at a distance

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, specifically refers to the condition where individuals can see objects that are close clearly, while objects that are far away appear blurry. This occurs when the eyeball is slightly longer than normal or when the cornea has too much curvature, leading light rays to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. The correct choice reflects this characteristic of nearsightedness, emphasizing the difficulty in perceiving distant objects clearly. In contrast, the other options address different aspects of vision. The notion of poor vision up close contradicts the definition of nearsightedness; individuals with this condition generally have no issues with nearby objects. The mention of blurriness with high contrast does not specifically address the defining features of nearsightedness. Clear vision at all distances does not pertain to nearsightedness either, as individuals experiencing this condition struggle with distant vision.