What condition is characterized by nearsightedness?

The condition characterized by nearsightedness is myopia. Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature, causing incoming light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This results in clear vision for nearby objects while distant objects appear blurry. Myopia is commonly diagnosed in children and can evolve through adolescence.

In contrast, other conditions listed involve different visual issues. Hyperopia, or farsightedness, indicates that distant objects may be seen more clearly than those that are close. Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, leading to distorted or blurred vision at all distances. Presbyopia is an age-related condition that affects near vision due to the gradual loss of elasticity in the lens, making it difficult to focus on close-up objects as one gets older.