In these tough economic times eye exam coupons make it easier to keep your eyes healthy. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests that during childhood, babies up to age 2 should have vision screening during regular pediatric visits, and screening every one to two years for ages 3 to 19. For adults age 20 to 29 with no mitigating factors, one exam during this time may suffice. By age 30 to 39, two exams during this period are recommended. Past age 40, an exam every two to four years is recommended, and by 65, eye exams every one or two years are advised.

Of course, those are basic guidelines. There are many individual variations, and some people may need eye exams more often. Your own optometrist or ophthalmologist is your best source of advice on how often to have eye exams. People with diabetes or family history of vision problems should be screened more often, as should African Americans over age 40 due to higher rates of high blood pressure in this demographic. Of course, any sudden changes in vision should be seen to as soon as possible regardless of age, gender, or race.

Eye care chains such as Sears Optical, JC Penney Optical, Wal-Mart Vision Centers, LensCrafters, and Pearle Vision have locations across the country, even in smaller towns, so that everyone has access to stylish and state-of-the-art vision correction. Kids who need glasses can choose from a number of great looking frames fitted with polycarbonate lenses, which are ten times more impact resistant than other plastics. This is the same material used in bulletproof windows, and it gives children the best possible protection against breakage.

The National Eye Institute, which is a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that vision problems can have a serious detrimental effect on quality of life. People with impaired vision are more likely to fall or experience accidents, and with older people, they are more likely to cut down on or stop driving.

Approximately 14 million Americans have uncorrected vision impairments, and most (11 million) could have 20/20 vision with corrective lenses. Latinos and Asians are more likely than white or black people to have uncorrected vision problems. The other 3 million with uncorrected vision have impairments that are more complicated to treat, such as complications of diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration. So it important to take care of your eyes. Most of the chain vision centers will offer you an eye exam coupon to make things a little lighter on the wallet.