Which condition is characterized by difficulty seeing in low light due to issues with the function of rods?

Nyctalopia, commonly known as night blindness, is characterized by difficulty seeing in low light conditions primarily due to issues with the rods in the retina. Rods are photoreceptor cells responsible for vision in dim light, and when they do not function properly, as in nyctalopia, a person may struggle to see clearly at night or in dark environments.

Conditions such as hyperopia and presbyopia primarily relate to the eye's ability to focus light properly and do not specifically impact night vision. Hyperopia, or farsightedness, involves difficulty seeing close objects clearly, while presbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects. Retinitis refers to inflammation of the retina, which can affect vision but is a broader condition that does not specifically focus on night vision difficulties as nyctalopia does. Thus, nyctalopia is the most accurate choice for describing the dysfunction of rod photoreceptors leading to challenges in low-light environments.