August is National Eye Exam month and is set to bring awareness to the importance of getting your eyes checked regularly.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eye exams are important, as many eye diseases can go a long time without showing symptoms. Dr. Tim Courtney of Axis Vision Care in Washington says it’s important to get started early. Kids under the age of 12 should get their eyes checked once a year. Between the ages of 13 and 40 are typically okay to get an exam every other year. According to Dr. Courtney, at the age of 40 you should get back to an annual visit routine with your local optometrist.

With back to school around the corner, Dr. Courtney says there are some signs to look for to see if your kids are struggling with their eyesight, “It can be a range of different things. Some of the most common signs are headaches, especially towards the end of the school day. If you catch a child squinting, that is also an obvious sign of concern. Then just the obvious, if a child notices blurry vision. Teachers are actually a really good resource for being able to spot a lot these types of issues in kids just because they work so closely with them on a daily basis.”

Aside from your regular exams, you should also see an optometrist if you begin experiencing floaters, concentrated headaches, decreased vision, and double vision. People with diabetes are at a higher risk for eye disease. Dr. Courtney also says it’s important to rest your eyes at the end of the day, especially if you spend a lot of your day on the computer or cell phone.