What condition is characterized by images focusing behind the retina?

The condition characterized by images focusing behind the retina is indeed hyperopia. In this state, light rays entering the eye are not focused directly on the retina but instead converge behind it. This typically occurs when the eyeball is too short or the lens is not curved enough to adequately focus light on the retina. As a result, individuals with hyperopia may struggle to see close objects clearly while distant objects might remain relatively clear.

Other conditions have different characteristics related to how vision is affected. For instance, myopia involves images focusing in front of the retina, leading to clarity in nearby objects but blurrier distant ones. Astigmatism results from an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, causing distorted or blurred vision at all distances. Lastly, presbyopia is an age-related condition where the lens becomes less flexible, making it difficult to focus on close objects, but it is not directly related to the positioning of focused images in relation to the retina.