**Core Concept**
The patient presents with presbyopia, a common age-related condition characterized by difficulty in focusing on near objects due to decreased elasticity of the lens. This is caused by the gradual thickening and loss of flexibility of the lens with age, affecting the accommodation reflex.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The next step in managing this patient is to prescribe reading glasses or bifocal glasses, which will correct the refractive error and improve near vision. This is because presbyopia is a refractive error, and correcting the refractive error with glasses is the most straightforward and effective way to manage it. The patient's clear media in both eyes confirms that the issue is not related to any intraocular or extrinsic factors.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Refractive surgery would not be the next step in managing presbyopia, as it is a relatively recent development and not the first-line treatment for this condition.
**Option B:** Patching one eye would not improve the patient's near vision, as it would actually worsen the condition by reducing binocular vision.
**Option C:** A thorough eye examination to rule out other causes of presbyopia would not be necessary, as the patient's clear media in both eyes makes this unlikely.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to note that presbyopia typically starts in the early to mid-40s, and the age of onset can vary depending on factors such as genetics and lifestyle.

**Correct Answer:** C.