If you wear glasses or contacts, the cost of eye exams and prescription contacts or prescription glasses can add up. This is especially true if you have a strong prescription or need bifocals. If you don’t have vision problems, you should still get regular vision exams, especially if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.

A comprehensive eye exam can help detect other health problems besides a need for corrective lenses. And you may discover that the reason for those headaches you’ve been having is that you need prescription lenses.

If you wear glasses or contacts and you’re self-employed, retired, or your employer doesn’t offer vision insurance, an individual plan might be a good idea. It can also be a great idea if you and your spouse both have vision problems and you have kids. Because vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism can be hereditary.

So, chances are good that one or more of your children will need glasses. And with vision insurance, kid’s glasses are sometimes covered at no cost to you or a minimal copay. Many schools test your child’s vision on a regular basis and will notify you of issues. But if your child squints when they read, get frequent headaches, or are starting to not do so well in school, consider getting their vision checked at your local vision center.