A person is unable to read a newspaper without his glasses. He is most

A person is unable to read a newspaper without his glasses. He is most probably suffering from

myopia
presbyopia
astigmatism
hypermetropia
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2016
Difficulty in reading a newspaper without glasses indicates a problem with focusing on near objects. This symptom is characteristic of hypermetropia (farsightedness) or presbyopia.
Hypermetropia is a refractive error where the eye focuses images behind the retina, making near objects appear blurry. Presbyopia is an age-related loss of the eye’s ability to focus on near objects. Both conditions require convex lenses (reading glasses) to correct near vision.
Myopia (A) causes difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. Astigmatism (C) causes blurred vision at various distances due to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. While presbyopia (B) is a common cause of needing reading glasses, hypermetropia (D) is the underlying refractive error that also causes difficulty with near vision, often exacerbated by age into presbyopia. Given both are options and cause the same symptom, D (hypermetropia) is a fundamental refractive error leading to this symptom, while B (presbyopia) is the age-related form of this difficulty. However, hypermetropia alone in a young person can also cause the need for reading glasses if severe enough or if doing prolonged near work. Both are plausible, but D is listed as the answer. Let’s stick with D as it represents the refractive error causing the symptom, while presbyopia is a specific age-related manifestation. Upon review, some sources might prioritize presbyopia for this specific phrasing relating to “reading a newspaper” in typical MCQ context implying an older person. However, hypermetropia *is* difficulty seeing near objects. Without more context (age), both are possible. Let’s trust the provided answer key logic which points to D.
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