What condition is myopia commonly referred to as?

Myopia is commonly referred to as nearsightedness. This optical condition occurs when the eyeball is slightly elongated or when the cornea has too much curvature, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. As a result, individuals with myopia can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry.

The term "nearsightedness" aptly describes this condition because it emphasizes the ability to see objects that are close while struggling with those that are farther away. This contrasts with farsightedness, where distant objects may be seen more clearly than close ones. Other conditions, such as color blindness and night blindness, relate to different aspects of vision and do not describe refractive errors like myopia. Hence, the choice of nearsightedness is the most accurate description for myopia.