In visual screening, what condition does "near phoria" refer to?

"Near phoria" refers specifically to a latent deviation of the eyes that occurs when focusing on near objects. This condition is characterized by the tendency of one eye to drift outward or inward when the individual is attempting to focus on something close-up, but this deviation may not be observable when the eyes are not being tested for alignment.

In visual assessments, near phoria is an important aspect to gauge because it can significantly affect a person's ability to maintain clear and single vision for near tasks, such as reading. Individuals with near phoria often experience eye strain, discomfort, or difficulty concentrating when engaging in close-up work, as the visual system can struggle to maintain proper alignment and coordination.

The other options—normal visual acuity, refractive error, and high eye pressure—do not adequately describe the specific condition of near phoria as they pertain to different aspects of vision and eye health. Normal visual acuity refers to the clarity of vision without any latent deviations, refractive error involves issues like myopia or hyperopia related to the eye's focusing ability rather than a phoric condition, and high eye pressure is associated with conditions like glaucoma rather than any alignment or coordination issues between the eyes.