Much like the rest of our bodies our eyes are

A common problem affecting most people over the age of 40 is presbyopia, a natural part of the aging process seen by most people as they reach 40 and beyond. Presbyopia is caused by the hardening of the lens of the eye, which makes it difficult for people to focus on objects close to them. As the condition worsens over time a person with presbyopia needs to move objects and printed materials further away from themselves to obtain a clearer focus; as the condition progresses the aging person may require eye glasses to perform everyday tasks like using a computer or reading. Laser eye surgery can also be used to reverse the effects of presbyopia and slow the effects of the medical condition.

A second common eye problem most people of advancing years suffer from is the medical condition cataracts; the diagnosis of this condition has grown in the early years of the 21st century to include around half of the 65 year olds in the U.S. having some form of this condition. Characterized by a loss of eyesight that becomes foggy due to the formation of a film over the lens of the eye; cataracts can be cured by a safe and often performed surgery that is more likely to be successful if it is performed early in the onset of the condition.

As people age their ability to fight disease and the onset of certain medical conditions is reduced; this is also the case with the onset of some medical conditions affecting the eyes. Glaucoma, an eye condition that can cause blindness if left untreated for a long period of time becomes an increasingly dangerous medical condition in older people. Other issues are characterized by the damage and breakdown of the body as it ages; retinal detachment is a problem that becomes more common over time. This eye problem is often discovered by symptoms, including the appearance of dots commonly known as eye floaters in the field of vision of older people.

Much like the rest of the body our eyesight is affected by the body becoming older and suffering from more medical issues as the onset of age begins to take effect. Living a healthier lifestyle can not only increase life expectancy, but prolong the period of good vision into older age.