Question

Explain why the near point increases with age.

Answer 1

Step 1: Near point of the eye

As we bring an object closer to the eye, the focal length of the eye lens changes so as to form an image of the object on the retina. However, there is a limit to how close the object may be to the eye so that the image can be seen clearly.

Step 2: Near point increases with age

1. For a young adult with normal vision, the near point is 25 cm. The near point increases with the age because of a decrease in the effectiveness of the ciliary muscles and a decrease in the flexibility of the eye lens.
2. Hence, the ability of the eye to adjust the focal length of the lens reduces with age.