You can't see things that are far away.

Problem: Most nearsighted people, those who can see pretty well close up, for reading, but struggle to see distant objects, discover the problem by or in their teens. Nearsightedness usually stabilizes by age 16 in females and mid-20s for males.

Treatment: There's a nearly endless selection of eyeglass frames and contact lenses; laser surgery may also be effective.

You have trouble seeing objects up close.

Problem: If you're farsighted, highway signs may be crystal clear, but the morning paper may be fuzzy. Farsightedness is usually present at birth and tends to run in families.

Treatment: As with nearsighted-ness, eyeglasses, contact lenses and laser surgery are all ways of dealing with the problem.

Your eyesight is worsening with age.

Problem: Presbyopia, Latin for "old eye," may be the culprit. Eyes require elasticity in the lens to focus, and that diminishes with age, so it becomes harder to focus on things that are close to you.

Treatment: Try bifocals, lenses that have two prescriptions, one for close work and the other for distance; they come in the form of glasses or even contact lenses.

Everything seems a bit blurry.

Problem: Astigmatism is caused by an abnormal curve in the lens or the cornea (the clear coating over the pupil and iris). Those surfaces should be even and smooth; the curvature is abnormal in astigmatism patients, causing light to refract improperly and vision to be impaired.

Treatment: Glasses and contact lenses specifically for astigmatism can correct vision problems caused by the condition.

You have a scratch on your eye.

Problem: You might experience scratches or abrasions caused by sand or dust in your eyes, rubbing your eyes too vigorously, an accidental poke, or accidents while playing catch with the kids. These tiny rips in the cornea are painful and cause blurred vision, tears and the feeling of grit embedded in the eye.

Treatment: Splash clean water into the affected eye. Call your doctor if there seems to be nothing in the eye but you still feel some discomfort. Treatment for an abrasion usually includes eyedrops or ointment. Most small abrasions heal within three days.

If you have no symptoms or risk factors, follow this vision-care schedule.

*Ages 18 to 40: Every two to three years

*Ages 41 to 60: Every two years

*Ages 61 and over: Every year