Biological Systems MCAT Practice Exam

What distinguishes hyperopia from myopia in terms of vision correction?

1. Hyperopia requires concave lenses, myopia needs convex lenses.

2. Hyperopia is corrected with prism lenses, myopia with bifocals.

3. Hyperopia requires convex lenses, myopia needs concave lenses.

4. Hyperopia is associated with blurred vision, myopia with clear vision.

The correct answer is: Hyperopia requires convex lenses, myopia needs concave lenses.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is a condition where distant objects may be seen more clearly than nearby objects. This occurs because the light entering the eye is focused behind the retina, often due to the eyeball being too short or the cornea having too little curvature. To correct hyperopia, convex lenses are used. These lenses are thicker in the center than at the edges, helping to converge light rays before they enter the eye, allowing them to focus properly on the retina. In contrast, myopia, or nearsightedness, is when nearby objects are seen clearly while distant objects appear blurry. This results from the light being focused in front of the retina, typically because the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved. To correct myopia, concave lenses are used, which are thinner in the center and thicker at the edges. These lenses help to diverge light rays, extending the focal point back onto the retina. Thus, the distinction in vision correction lies in the types of lenses used: convex lenses for hyperopia and concave lenses for myopia.