What condition leads to impaired vision as a result of aging?

The correct answer is presbyopia, which is a condition commonly associated with aging that affects the ability to focus on close objects. As people age, the lenses in their eyes lose flexibility, making it challenging to adjust focus for near tasks such as reading or sewing. This loss of elasticity is a natural part of the aging process and typically begins in the early to mid-40s and progresses over time.

In contrast, myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is primarily a refractive error that often develops in childhood or adolescence and is not directly related to aging. Atherosclerosis is a condition related to the hardening of the arteries and does not specifically cause visual impairment. Glaucoma involves increased pressure within the eye, which can lead to vision loss but is more related to a specific disease process rather than the normal aging process itself. Thus, presbyopia is the condition directly tied to impaired vision as individuals age.