What condition is characterized by the inability to see close up?

The condition characterized by the inability to see close up is presbyopia. This condition typically occurs as part of the natural aging process and affects the eye’s ability to focus on near objects due to the gradual loss of elasticity in the lens. As a person ages, the lens becomes stiffer, making it more difficult to change shape and focus on close-up tasks, such as reading fine print. This condition is commonly experienced by individuals typically starting in their 40s.

Myopia, on the other hand, refers to nearsightedness, where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is the opposite, where close objects are blurry, but distant objects can be seen more clearly. Astigmatism is caused by an irregular shape of the cornea or lens, resulting in distorted or blurred vision at all distances. In contrast, presbyopia specifically relates to difficulties in focusing on nearby objects due to age-related changes in vision.