Q1. [2] medium thorough-understanding
An elderly person finds it difficult to read a newspaper but can see distant objects clearly without glasses. Which defect of vision is this, and what is its underlying physiological cause?
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 01:08 · grounding rag
Model Answer
The defect is Presbyopia. It occurs in old age due to the gradual weakening of the ciliary muscles and diminishing flexibility of the eye lens. As a result, the eye loses its power of accommodation and cannot focus on nearby objects like a newspaper, though distant vision remains clear.
Source: Chapter 10, Section 10.2(c) — Presbyopia
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Explanation
- The key symptom — difficulty with near vision but clear distant vision in old age — directly points to Presbyopia, not Hypermetropia (which can occur at any age).
- Examiners expect both parts of the physiological cause: weakening of ciliary muscles and reduced flexibility of the eye lens. Mentioning only one may cost half a mark.
- Do not confuse Presbyopia with Hypermetropia; the distinguishing factor here is age-related gradual loss of accommodation.