Empty-field myopia occurs under certain conditions; which statement is correct?

• A. Hyperopia due to aging
• B. Empty-field myopia
• C. Color vision deficiency in cockpit lighting
• D. Astigmatism due to glare

Answer: (B)

Empty-field myopia is a temporary shift toward nearsightedness that happens when the visual scene is featureless and depth cues are scarce. In that situation the eyes tend to relax focus, so distance vision is preferred and near objects can blur until you actively refocus. In flight, staring at a blank sky, a uniform horizon, or a plain cockpit view with few cues can trigger this effect. The correct choice points to empty-field myopia because it directly describes this condition, whereas the other options refer to fixed refractive errors or unrelated issues like color vision deficiencies or glare-related astigmatism. It’s reversible—refocus on a near object or instrument, and use scanning to keep the eyes engaged with multiple cues.