Much to my annoyance, I’ve often been mistaken for being younger than my actual age. At 24 I could not buy a lottery ticket without being carded (even though 18 is the legal age for that in my state). A few years ago a 14-year-old neighbor girl spotted me in the front yard and asked what school I attended because she thought we were the same age. And just a few months ago my son and I both received a kids’ menu at Perkins when the hostess mistook me for 12 or under.

And for as long as I can remember I’ve been told that I would appreciate it someday. I never believed that to be true – until last week when I turned 30.

The day after my birthday I went in for an annual eye exam and the ophthalmologist recommended I have a glaucoma test now that I’m 30. I couldn’t help but wonder if this test were really necessary or if he was just trying to cash in. Of course, being the Medical Device Daily reporter that I am, the first thing I did when I got home from my eye exam was research the disease, which led me to the Glaucoma Research Foundation website. Considering I do not meet any of the high risk factors for glaucoma, I figure I’ve probably got another 10 years ahead of me before I have to worry about regular testing for this disease.

But I have noticed subtle signs in just the last couple of weeks that I’m not as young as I used to be and that maybe – just maybe – I really will appreciate it the next time I get carded or handed a kids menu at a restaurant.