Advanced Patient Assessment Practice Exam

Age is a major risk factor for developing which eye disorder?

1. Cataract

2. Diabetic retinopathy

3. Vascular disorders

4. Glaucoma

The correct answer is: Cataract

Cataracts are indeed strongly associated with advancing age, making age a major risk factor for their development. The lens of the eye gradually becomes less flexible and more opaque with time, leading to the formation of cataracts. While diabetic retinopathy, vascular disorders, and glaucoma do have associations with age, they are influenced by additional factors such as diabetes, vascular health, and intraocular pressure, respectively. For instance, diabetic retinopathy is primarily a consequence of diabetes rather than solely aging. Similarly, glaucoma tends to have a hereditary component and lifestyle factors that play significant roles in its development. In contrast, the direct correlation between age and cataract formation highlights why cataracts are a leading cause of vision impairment among older adults.