Which condition is commonly associated with the aging process affecting lens flexibility?

Presbyopia is a condition that typically affects individuals as they age, specifically in their 40s and beyond. This condition is characterized by a gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects, which results from the lens of the eye becoming less flexible. As we age, the lens hardens, making it difficult to change shape to focus on close-up tasks like reading or sewing. The decline in lens flexibility is a natural part of the aging process, leading to the development of presbyopia.

In contrast, myopia (nearsightedness) affects the ability to see distant objects clearly and is primarily a refractive error rather than a result of aging. Astigmatism involves an irregular shape of the cornea or lens, leading to distorted vision, while hyperopia (farsightedness) occurs when distant objects are seen more clearly than nearby ones due to the way light is focused in the eye. Both myopia and hyperopia can be present from a young age and do not necessarily worsen solely as a result of the aging process.