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

What is a symptom of short-sightedness?

1. Blurred vision when looking close

2. Difficulty focusing on distant objects

3. Frequent headaches when reading

4. Seeing halos around lights

The correct answer is: Difficulty focusing on distant objects

Short-sightedness, also known as myopia, is a common visual condition in which distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. This occurs because the eyeball is slightly longer than normal or the cornea has too much curvature, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Individuals with myopia often experience difficulty focusing on distant objects, as they are unable to see them clearly. This inability arises because the image of distant objects is projected too far forward, resulting in a blurry image. This symptom is a defining characteristic of short-sightedness. While some of the other options may relate to ocular issues, they do not specifically represent the primary symptom associated with myopia. For example, blurred vision when looking closely or frequently getting headaches when reading are not typical of this condition. Similarly, seeing halos around lights is more commonly associated with conditions such as cataracts rather than short-sightedness. Understanding the nature of myopia helps in identifying its corresponding symptoms accurately.