Your body changes as you get older, and the same is true for your vision. Some vision changes in your 40s and 60s are natural and aren’t cause for alarm, while others are much more serious.

Here are four vision conditions to be aware of as you age:

Presbyopia

If you find yourself squinting to see and read text as you get older, you could have presbyopia — literally “old sight” in Greek. As you age, the lens of your eye naturally hardens and loses its ability to change shape, which can make it hard for you to focus on things that are close up.

How serious is it?

Presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness, is a very common vision change for people in their 40s through their 60s. There are plenty of ways to correct the condition, including reading glasses that you can pick up (without a prescription) at your local optical store or online. Vision surgery is also an option, but it isn’t necessary in most cases.

If you start to have trouble reading the fine print, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to find out what treatment is best for you.

SEE RELATED: How does age affect my vision?

Cataracts

Cataracts make the lens of the eye look cloudy. They develop as the tissues in your eye — the ones responsible for focusing your vision — begin to age. Colors may appear less vibrant, and you may see blurry splotches in your field of vision.

How serious is it? 

Cataracts are one of the most common vision changes in your 40s. They’re also the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40, and the leading cause of blindness overall. 

The effects of most cataracts can be successfully treated with prescription eyeglasses or contacts, but, if your eyesight seems to be getting worse, vision surgery is a relatively simple procedure.

During cataract surgery, your eye’s lens will be replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) and your cloudy vision will vanish.