August marks National Eye Exam Month – a time dedicated to the encouragement of eye health and the importance of regular eye exams. Thinking of skipping it this year? Think again. Here are some facts that may help to sway your opinion.

25% of children have a problem with vision. It is also estimated that 48% of parents with children under the age of 12 have never taken their children to see an eye specialist. One of the most common reasons why children fall behind in school each year is due to vision problems. Having your child undergo a comprehensive eye exam can help detect problems that may lead to reading and learning difficulties.

Are you experiencing another unexplainable headache? Quit taking Advil and visit an optometrist. An eyecare professional can pinpoint the problem of your headaches early on.

Maintaining a healthy weight can help to prevent diabetes which can lead to diabetic eye disease & glaucoma. Smoking also causes stress to the eyes (along with the rest of the body) in the form of blindness causing macular degeneration, cataracts & optic nerve damage. Quit now!

20% of cataract cases are due to extended UV exposure. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation, so you can keep your vision sharp and eyes healthy.