What does "farsighted" refer to in terms of eye condition?

The term "farsighted" refers specifically to hyperopia, which is a condition where distant objects can be seen more clearly than close ones. In hyperopia, the light entering the eye is focused behind the retina instead of directly on it, making near vision less clear while distance vision remains relatively sharp. This condition occurs due to either an eyeball that is too short or a cornea that is too flat.

Understanding hyperopia is crucial for recognizing how various vision problems are classified. Myopia, on the other hand, is characterized by difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, while astigmatism involves an irregular curvature of the cornea leading to blurred vision at all distances. Presbyopia, commonly associated with aging, results in an increased difficulty focusing on near objects, but is not synonymous with farsightedness in the same way that hyperopia is. Thus, the term "farsighted" directly leads to the definition of hyperopia as the correct answer.