What is aphakia?

Aphakia refers to the absence of the eye's crystalline lens, which can occur due to surgical removal (often in the case of cataract surgery) or may be present at birth (congenital aphakia). The crystalline lens is crucial for focusing light onto the retina, and its absence can lead to significant visual impairment because it disrupts the eye's ability to focus on objects at various distances. Without the lens, individuals may experience challenges such as blurry vision or difficulties with accommodation—the ability to adjust focus from near to far distances. This condition may be managed with corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses, or through the surgical implantation of an artificial lens.

The other options describe different conditions. The presence of a false lens refers to pseudophakia, not aphakia. Unequal pupils, or anisocoria, describes a different phenomenon involving pupil size, while increased eye pressure characterizes glaucoma, which is also unrelated to aphakia.