Watch Dr. Conklin on KSL, talking about kids’ eye care and the importance of an eye exam before back-to-school time.

Most people don’t think about eye-care unless they’re having vision problems.  Annual eye exams can not only find eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma, a routine eye exam can help detect signs of serious health conditions, like diabetes and high cholesterol. This is important, since you won’t always notice the symptoms yourself — and since some of these diseases cause early and irreversible damage.

Did you know nearly 1/3 of Americans over the age of 40 have a vision problem? Vision disorders are the second most prevalent health problem in the country. It’s not just for older people, children too often do not get regular vision care unless a problem is noticed. Impaired vision affects a child’s cognitive, emotional, neurologic, and physical development. In fact, many studies show that 2/3 of students identified as problem learners have undetected vision problems.

Preventative eye care is affordable, easy, and painless. Most eye exams take only 30 minutes, and you can drive home (or back to work immediately afterwards. Take the time to take care of your health and vision.