It may happen gradually, as you slowly realize that it's getting tougher to see which eyebrows to pluck until you back away from the mirror. Or it may happen virtually overnight, as you suddenly become aware that you need to hold the newspaper at arm's length to read the classified ads.

Our ability to focus reaches its peak when we're around 12, then declines a little bit with every birthday thereafter. By the time we reach ages 35 to 45, many of us begin to notice we're holding reading matter so far away that our arms seem too short. It's called presbyopia, the age related vision change that occurs as your once flexible lens becomes harder and less clear, says John B. Jeffers, M.D., an ophthalmologist at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia.

If you've already noticed your vision getting worse, all is not lost. Here's what to do.

Take a look close up. This is obvious, but it bears repeating. Schedule an eye examination to review the health of your eyes and the overall functioning of your visual system. This includes tests for how well your eyes focus on objects, both far and near, and how well they work together for depth perception, says Robert M. Greenburg, O.D., an optometrist and optometric consultant in Reston, Virginia.

Don't make excuses, like telling yourself you can see okay so long as the lighting is bright enough or you're feeling okay, advises Dr. Greenburg. It is true that your vision may be sharper in the bright fight of a sunny day since the pupils constrict and increase your depth of focus. But you also deserve to see well indoors, in the soothing light of your den, or when you're walking the streets at twilight.

Squint no more. If you find yourself distorting your face to clear up blurry letters, you're doing yourself no youthful favors. Constant squinting deepens the lines around your eyes, making you look older. Squinting in bright sunlight is no better. Wear sunglasses to help to preserve the smooth appearance of your face around your eyes. Sunglasses will also help to prevent cataracts, which can be caused by sun damage, Dr. Greenburg says.

Specs on specs. A new pair of glasses or a specially designed pair of contact lenses will restore your ability to see close up again. Your own best option may be bifocals, bifocal contact lenses, or a pair of reading glasses. Check with your eye professional to see what she recommends.