What is the condition characterized by an underdevelopment or absence of the optic nerve?

The condition characterized by an underdevelopment or absence of the optic nerve is known as optic nerve hypoplasia. This condition affects the development of the optic nerve, which is crucial for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. Individuals with optic nerve hypoplasia may experience a range of visual impairments, depending on the severity of the underdevelopment. It is often identified in early childhood and can be associated with other neurological or developmental conditions.

The other options refer to different visual and ocular conditions. For instance, myopia is a refractive error where distant objects appear blurry due to the shape of the eye. Strabismus involves misalignment of the eyes, impacting binocular vision. Retinopathy of prematurity is a condition that affects premature infants, which can lead to abnormal retinal development. Each of these conditions involves different aspects of vision and eye health, but they do not pertain to the absence or underdevelopment of the optic nerve like optic nerve hypoplasia does.