An elderly patient with a history of gradual vision changes is at risk for which eye condition?

The correct choice is cataract, particularly because cataracts are a common condition that develops gradually, especially in the elderly population. Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to gradual vision changes such as blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and increased sensitivity to glare. Given the patient's history of gradual vision changes, cataracts are a likely diagnosis.

Cataracts primarily affect older adults, correlating with aging processes and often resulting from various factors including genetics, environmental influences, and other health conditions such as diabetes. Identifying cataracts early can help in monitoring the condition and determining the appropriate time for surgical intervention, which can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life.

While other conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration also affect vision, their clinical presentations and risk factors differ. Glaucoma often presents with peripheral vision loss and may occur suddenly or gradually, while macular degeneration tends to lead to central vision loss, which can significantly impact activities such as reading and recognizing faces. Although retinal detachment can occur, it is typically associated with acute symptoms and differs from the gradual change characterized by cataracts. Therefore, the key detail of gradual vision changes in this scenario strongly points to cataracts as the most fitting condition.