National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

A patient who has difficulty seeing objects directly in front of them is most likely suffering from macular degeneration. This condition primarily affects the macula, which is responsible for central vision. As the condition progresses, it leads to a gradual loss of clarity in the central visual field, while peripheral vision typically remains intact. This central vision impairment can make it challenging for individuals to read, recognize faces, and perform other tasks that require sharp vision directly ahead.

In contrast, other conditions like cataracts can lead to blurred vision in general, not specifically in the central field. Presbyopia, which is the age-related loss of the eye's ability to focus on near objects, affects near vision rather than central vision. Glaucoma usually affects peripheral vision first and can lead to tunnel vision, rather than impacting central vision significantly during the early stages. Therefore, macular degeneration is the most fitting condition for the symptom described.