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If seeing is believing, then we can believe a lot more because we can see better for longer thanks to science and technology. Certainly life has changed for many of us, both young and old, because what was once destiny has now become a temporary indisposition.

Eyes age. It happens to everyone.

First I resorted to drugstore glasses. Then, wanting to simplify my life and look better, I got contact lenses. They never worked well for me. They tended to move around inside my eye and distort my view. I found driving or playing tennis with contacts in my eyes gave new meaning to the words, "As the world turns."

Then, along came the wonderful method of implanting new lenses. I waited to see if this new scientific tool really worked. Friends who were older had them put in and began life anew with their corrected vision. I wanted to be one of them.

It only took a few minutes to get my new lenses put in, but what a difference it made to the quality of my life.

For the first time in years I saw my whole face. The world grew brighter. I could read the newspaper without glasses. I do need a bright light to do this, though. But the fact that I can do it and only need a slight magnification to thread a needle takes me on a journey backward in time.

Our old eyes are being made young. New lenses give oldies the opportunity to continue being independent well into their nineties.

Every so often the topic of denying old people the privilege of driving their cars comes up.

"Old people" is a relative term, as we of the grandparent age know. When you're a teen, anyone over 30 is old. But you're really up there when anyone under 65 is a kid to you.

Driving a car means maintaining your independence. The Wall Street Journal reports that at least 47,000 people are killed in automobile accidents every year. The causes include drunk driving, drugs, exhaustion, youthful optimism, poor driving habits, carelessness, cell phones, smoking and general inattentiveness.

These factors — not being over a certain age — are the main killers. Today healthy, active seniors can drive well and safely into their later years.

Many of the older folk may take their time putting the foot to the pedal when the light turns green. But, so do to a lot of younger folk talking on their cell phones.

Of course, drivers need to see well. But they also must be physically fit so reaction time — hitting the brakes or taking off when the lights turn red — can happen within a normal time frame.

Night driving, for many elders, was once impossible. But with new eyes the glare of oncoming lights is no longer as frightening or as disorienting as it once was.

Many who gave up their nightlife now are able to get back into the swing. Their new eyes give them the freedom to live a fuller life.

It also frees them from becoming a burden to their friends and families. Simple tasks like going to your doctor, shopping at the supermarket or partying with friends means being able to transport yourself there and back.

This is something older folks will not give up willingly. We want to live independently for as long as possible. It's no fun to depend upon others. Now many do not have to.

Science and technology have separated how we see from how old we are. Seniors' lives have changed, and for the better. It's time government and society recognized the new reality of aging.