Presbyopia is the gradual decline in the ability to focus on close objects or to see small print. Regardless of your prior vision correction needs, presbyopia is considered a normal and almost inevitable part of the aging process.

Most people develop presbyopia around the age of 40. You may feel the impact sooner if you're regularly involved in near-vision tasks such as reading or working with small objects. However, using your eyes does not make the situation worse.

Symptoms include:

• Straining to read newsprint, or holding it at arms length

• Confusing similar numbers, such as 8 and 3

• Difficulty focusing on price tags or the time on a wrist watch