Probably the eyes are the most noticeable part of the face in any human being. The eyes are said to be the ?windows to our soul.? It is obvious how valuable our eyes are in everyday life. Our eyes are invaluable assets that must be used every single day at home and at work. They start to work from the moment we wake up --- to the time we close them to go to sleep.

The stresses of our jobs and even duties at home can also put a strain on our visual system. The use of glasses and contact lenses and the natural wear and tear that comes with the aging process can leave our eyes red and tired. It is true that our eyes are among the most neglected organs in our body.

True enough, our eyes are the most used ?appliance? in our working body, and as such, they also suffer the most. Headaches related to eye fatigue are also common among people who work long hours reading or working in front of the computer. Excessive watching of television is also a leading cause of eye strain and other vision-related problems. Those who overwork their eyes often suffer from visual migraines.

Since the eyes are such integral part of our existence, proper care is needed to protect them. Having an annual eye exam is specifically recommended to prevent any eye diseases. In addition, many eye diseases start in childhood, so it is important for children to receive proper eye care treatment from the time they are still infants.

According to research, there is a continuous case of vision loss in the world today, but half of all blindness can be protected. The goal of an annual exam is to minimize the adverse effects on the eye and the vision to prevent it from getting worse. But there are certain signs that can detect if you are suffering from vision loss, check out below if you have any of these:

?frequent eyeglass prescription changes

?difficulty in recognizing people

?holding books or reading materials too close to the eyes

?bumping into objects

?finds lightning either too bright or too dim

?acts disoriented or confused

If you, or one of your loved ones are experiencing any of these, consult an eye doctor immediately. Many forms of vision loss are preventable if tracked down early. Keeping yourself in good health and taking necessary precautions to care for your eyes will go a long way. A regular eye examination will help you detect possible eye diseases and prevent blindness.

Many eye diseases, if detected early, can be successfully treated. You can lessen the risk of eye disease and vision loss if you follow the following tips:

?Eat healthy food

?Do some eye exercise regularly and stay active

?Control your cholesterol levels, blood pressure or other health problem

?Quit smoking

So, protect your eyes and those of your loved ones. Overall health care involves undergoing annual eye examinations. The eyes you have will be yours forever. Treat them right and they will never be out of sight.