Which ocular problem commonly occurs in older adults due to aging?

Presbyopia is a common condition that arises as a natural part of the aging process, typically becoming noticeable in individuals in their 40s and beyond. This condition is characterized by a gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on near objects, which occurs due to the lens of the eye becoming stiffer and less flexible over time. As a result, older adults often find it increasingly difficult to read small print or see items close up without the assistance of reading glasses.

The prevalence of presbyopia among older adults highlights the physiological changes that occur in the eye with age, making it a primary ocular issue in this population. In contrast, myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) are refractive errors that can occur at any age, while tropia refers to a misalignment of the eyes that typically has other underlying causes. Thus, presbyopia stands out as the most common age-related ocular issue in older adults.