There is an old adage which goes something like this: At 40, your eyesight starts to go; at 50 everything else starts to go.

While this is just a saying, scientists do think however that vision is affected when you reach middle age. That’s also the experience of one individual who found when he reached 50, he needed glasses to read.

Speaking with reporters, Michael McGuigan told reporters: “It made me feel like my mortality was creeping up on me. Before I turned 50 I still had my youth. Now that I’m on the other side, it makes you start thinking of my health, including my eyes.”

Scientists confirm what Michael believes. Visual changes do occur with the onset of middle age as do many other physical and physiological changes. In the case of eyesight, the changes may be quite minor, but in some cases they are serious; some for instance, develop glaucoma.

Dr. Robert Greenbaum who runs an optician practice in his home town in the US remarked: “As we age, our natural tear production becomes compromised due to hormonal changes, and tears don’t work as well and are not the same quality.”

Another possible problem is presbyopia. This occurs when the lens loses flexibility. Dr. Greenbaum said: “It’s not correctable. The boomers have to deal with it one way or another. Glasses, including bifocals and trifocals, and surgery can help.”

So, while for most people changes may not be noticeable once you reach middle age, nevertheless it is advisable that you start to look after your eyes more by getting them checked a lot more regularly than you did do.