Keep Those Peepers Sharp

Need to hold that book farther away so you can read it these days? Could be time for reading glasses, say expert at Vision Service Plan.

While ThirdAgers are active folk, scaling mountains and starting new careers, many are slow to realize that their eyesight is changing. By the age of 55, almost everyone must wear reading glasses, says VSP director of optometry, Dr. Denis Humphreys.

The problem is presbyopia, a normal function of aging where the eye's lens loses some of its elasticity, making it difficult to change focus from far to near.

Here are some signs to recognize whether you need a trip to the eye doctor: Reading is less enjoyable; menus in dimly lit restaurants are harder to decipher; you get tired when doing close-up or computer work; things appear blurry close up.