Which optical condition involves images focusing behind the retina?

• A. Infiltrate
• B. Hyperopia
• C. Epithelial defect
• D. Evisceration

Answer: (B)

Images focusing behind the retina happen when the eye’s optical system doesn’t bend light enough to place the focal point on the retina. This is farsightedness, or hyperopia. It occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature, so light is not brought to a focus on the retina unless the eye accommodates. Distant objects may look clearer than near ones, because the eye can use extra focusing effort to try to bring near objects into focus.

The other terms describe different eye issues that aren’t about where light focuses. An infiltrate refers to an infection or inflammation in eye tissues, an epithelial defect is a break in the corneal surface, and evisceration is the surgical removal of the eye’s contents. None of these explain images forming behind the retina. Hyperopia is the condition that fits that description.