You've got one pair of eyes and they're pretty special, aren't they?

Your teeth get cleaned.

Your car gets an oil change. Your hair gets a trim.

But how often do you think of your eyes -- unless something goes wrong? If you're like most Americans, it's not often enough.

High-quality vision care is important to every member of your family. Sadly, fewer than 50 percent of Americans get eye exams more frequently than every two years, despite the fact most adults consider vision their most important sense.

One in five people are at risk for vision loss, and many of the problems could have been addressed through preventive care.

The best thing you can do for your eyes is to get a complete exam annually.

Regular vision screenings are more than getting glasses or contacts. Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms. As a result, people are often unaware that problems exist.

Annual exams not only help correct vision problems. Comprehensive eye exams also can reveal the warning signs of more serious, undiagnosed health problems, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Even if you don't need vision correction, you need that yearly exam.

It's a safety issue.

Imagine if the other drivers next to you on the highway hadn't had a vision test in the past few years -- wouldn't you feel more safe if they did?

Adults aren't the only ones who need to have their eyes checked regularly.

One in four children has a vision problem that interferes with learning. Eye care experts say children should have their first eye exam before they can even walk.

The American Optometric Association recommends a six-month exam to make sure the baby's eyes are developing normally and to stop bigger problems down the road. After that, a yearly trip will keep tabs on young eyes that can change fast.

Eye exams are simple and painless. During a preventive eye exam, your doctor will check all aspects of your vision, including the structure of the eyes and how well they work together.

Based on the findings of the exam, your eye doctor will recommend a plan that's right for you. The good news is that eye exams don't hurt, and they typically take less than an hour to complete.

Periodic eye and vision examinations are an important part of preventive health care.

Early diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision problems are important for maintaining good vision and eye health, and when possible, preventing vision loss.

If you haven't had your vision checked recently, give Community Health Care a call. With extended and weekend hours, there's no excuse not to have a convenient eye-exam.

Source: thedailyjournal