OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

What does it mean if someone is long sighted?

1. They can only see clearly at close range

2. They cannot focus on near objects

3. They have difficulty seeing in dim light

4. They experience blurred vision at all distances

The correct answer is: They cannot focus on near objects

If someone is long-sighted, it means they cannot focus on near objects clearly. This condition, also known as hyperopia, occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea is too flat, which results in images of close objects being focused behind the retina instead of directly on it. As a result, individuals with long-sightedness struggle to see things that are up close, while their distance vision may remain relatively clear. Understanding the other options can provide additional clarity on the concept of long-sightedness. The first option refers to short-sightedness (myopia), where a person can see nearby objects clearly but struggles with objects further away. The third option describes a condition known as night blindness or poor vision in low light, which is unrelated to long sightedness. The fourth option suggests a more general visual impairment that affects all distances, which is not characteristic of long-sightedness as these individuals typically have better vision at a distance compared to near vision.