Which type of visual impairment is typically associated with aging?

Cataracts are a common type of visual impairment associated with aging, characterized by the clouding of the eye's natural lens. As individuals age, the proteins in the lens can clump together and form cloudy areas, which leads to a decrease in vision quality. People with cataracts may experience blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and increased sensitivity to glare.

This condition is particularly prevalent among older adults, making it a key concern in geriatric ophthalmology. While myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism can occur at any age, their links to the aging process are not as pronounced as with cataracts. Myopia and hyperopia are related more to the shape of the eye and often stabilize in adulthood, while astigmatism relates to an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens. In contrast, cataracts specifically develop as a result of age-related changes, making them the embodiment of visual impairment related to aging.