InfantSEE
InfantSEE is a year-round program that provides no-cost exams for infants aged six to 12 months
At Visual Eyes optometry practice, we believe that people of all ages should receive eye exams. The importance of eye exams is well-documented, preventing vision loss and disease. Even children are susceptible to vision problems and eye diseases. In fact, one in 10 children is at risk from undiagnosed eye disease. Yet only 14 percent of children from infancy to 6 years old receive a comprehensive eye exam. This can be detrimental to proper development and education. Nearly 80 percent of what we learn is through the eyes. We need to ensure our children have the best vision possible to make learning easier. That’s why we participate in InfantSEE, a year-round program that provides no-cost exams by an eye doctor who has the instruments and resources for eye care that are not available to pediatricians and family doctors. With this program, we can detect potential problems, that if left undetected, may lead to learning and developmental issues later. Additionally, it gives new parents the peace of mind that their infant’s vision is developing properly.
Eye conditions that may affect children are more common than you think
Did you know one in 30 children will be affected by amblyopia, more often referred to as lazy eye, which is a leading cause of vision loss in people younger than 45 years?
This is just one of the eye conditions that can and does affect children around the world.
Others include:
- Strabismus – More commonly known as crossed-eyes, it affects one in 25 and is a risk factor for amblyopia
- Significant refractive error – One in 33 will be affected from errors such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism
- Eye disease – One in 100 will exhibit evidence of eye disease, such as glaucoma
- Retinoblastoma – One in 20,000 children have retinoblastoma, also known as intraocular cancer, the seventh most common pediatric cancer
Additionally, a study from 2006 to 2007 showed that one in nine infants assessed showed an overall need for concern, which required follow-up or referral to a specialist
There is also clinical data that demonstrates the need for InfantSEE
Current red reflex screening, as performed by pediatricians or family physicians, appears to be ineffective in detecting early retinoblastoma as over 80 percent of patients had their presenting sign detected by a family member or friend. The majority of vision problems detected through InfantSEE assessments include retinoblastoma (eye cancer), severe hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), congenital glaucoma and congenital cataract . Babies born prematurely and those from ethnic minority backgrounds were at greatest risk for abnormal prescription status. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ALSPAC) reported that intensive screening performed six times between ages eight months and 37 months by an eye care professional led to a decrease in:
- Amblyopia, which was three times less likely after treatment – from 1.8 percent to 0.6 percent
- Residual amblyopia from 25 percent to 7.5 percent after treatment
A study reported by the American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) in 2007 found that infants and toddlers whose amblyopia was detected by age two years had substantially better treatment success than children whose amblyopia was detected between ages two and four years. The proportion of children with the condition and the severity of amblyopia increases with each preschool year, from one to five years. The added economic value in America for amblyopia care is estimated to be $27.9 billion. InfantSEE estimates that scheduled visual examinations cost approximately $4.8 billion per year.
How can you check the eyes of an infant?
Infants cannot respond to “which is better 1 or 2”. Therefore, special lenses and a light are used to evaluate the reflex of the infant’s eyes to determine an approximate prescription. Another instrument is used to look at the retina (the back inside of the eye) to ensure the eyes are healthy. Eye alignment is also evaluated to look for an eye turn (strabismus). Dr. Miller also checks for a lazy eye (amblyopia) during her evaluation.
Healthy Eyes Start Early Request an InfantSEE Exam Today!
Your baby’s vision is crucial to their development. Our gentle and specialized infant eye exams ensure their eyes are healthy and developing properly. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Miller today!
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InfantSEE Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions about the InfantSEE program.
Because Dr. Miller feels it is so important for infants to have their eyes examined at an early age, she participates in the InfantSEE program. This program provides one eye exam to infants six to 12 months old at no charge.
Experts agree that visual development is most dramatic between six and 12 months of age and that early detection and treatment of potential eye and vision problems can prevent and help reduce the threat of serious vision impairments. Therefore, it is extremely important that an infant’s vision is assessed in the first year of life by an eye care professional.
Most people don’t know that one in 10 infants is at risk from undiagnosed eye and vision problems, which, if undetected, could lead to permanent vision impairment, and in rare cases, life-threatening health risks. For example, it is not well known that amblyopia – often referred to as lazy eye – is a leading cause of vision loss in people younger than 45, will affect one in 30 children – and if not diagnosed and treated early, can lead to permanent vision impairment.
Just as parents would take a child to a dentist to help prevent cavities and future dental problems, parents should take their child to an eye and vision care specialist to help prevent potential eye and vision problems. Both dentist and optometrist visits are as necessary as the routine well-care exams a baby receives at the pediatrician’s office.
During an assessment, the optometrist will determine if a baby’s eyes and vision are developing properly and identify the need for intervention when necessary. Although problems are not common, it is important to identify children who are potentially at risk at this stage. Vision development and eye health problems can be more easily corrected if treatment is started early.
The American Optometric Association recommends infants have their first assessment between six and 12 months of age, then again at age three and again before starting kindergarten. Adults should have yearly eye exams, or as recommended by an eye doctor.
Infants have long received an eye screening from their trusted pediatricians as part of a full well-care check-up to detect a host of large-scope health problems. Many cases of successful intervention have resulted from this process. However, optometrists have the right tools to perform a comprehensive eye and vision assessment, the education to identify areas of risk that are critical to a child’s vision development, and the relationships with pediatric eye specialists to provide infants with another level of eye care that complements the care delivered by pediatricians.
An InfantSEE assessment is meant to detect the potential for vision problems, but also eye health problems, both of which can be more easily corrected if treatment is started early. The eye is the only place within the body where blood vessels can be seen without having to look through skin or tissue. The optometrist may use drops or a spray to dilate the baby’s pupils to get a better look inside and ensure the health of the eye. A stinging sensation may occur momentarily, but overall the assessment is fun and non-invasive for the baby.
Optometrists are offering these comprehensive assessments at no cost to ensure that EVERY infant has access to appropriate eye and vision care. We believe the program is a reasonable investment in the wellness of our communities.
Although infants cannot respond verbally, the first year of life is the best time to conduct an extensive eye assessment. Not only is this a critical time for eye and vision development, but generally children at this age do not yet fear doctor visits.
Typically, infants sit on their parent’s lap during the assessment, and the optometrist will conduct several tests to evaluate an infant’s overall eye health:
- Visual Acuity – This checks to see if an infant can fix their eyes on an object, and follow the object while it moves. It also helps to determine which objects the baby prefers to look at, and at what distances
- Prescription Status – The doctor of optometry uses lenses and light from a small handheld instrument to assess how the baby’s eye responds to particular targets
- Eye Movement – Using hands, a light or a toy, the optometrist catches the baby’s attention and observes how the baby follows the movements of the object
- Eye Alignment/Binocular Potential – By covering one eye at a time, the eye doctor can study eye muscles and acuity
- Eye Health – The eye doctor will examine the eye’s structure as well as the eyelids, tear ducts, and other parts of the eye. The doctor will also check pupil function and assess visual field
Although problems are not common, it is important to identify children who are potentially at risk at this stage. Vision development and eye health problems can be easily corrected if treatment is started early.
In addition to sharing findings with the parents, Dr. Miller will send summary letters to the infant’s pediatrician, family physician or other appropriate healthcare practitioner, reporting and explaining any significant condition diagnosed in the course of the assessment. The optometrist will also recommend appropriate treatment or vision training, which parents may choose to obtain from any eye care provider they wish.
No, the program’s focus is to identify the risk of future problems. In fact, in 90 percent of cases, no follow-up care is needed.
The InfantSEE program was designed to fill an unmet need in assessing the potential for eye and vision problems in infants six to 12 months of age – one of the most critical stages of visual development. While we encourage all parents to take their children, regardless of age, to visit an optometrist for a comprehensive eye assessment, the program is not structured to see children older than one year of age at no cost.
Optometrists are fully qualified to provide this type of service. American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. As primary eye care providers, optometrists play a major role in an individual’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases. Through four years of advanced post-graduate, doctoral-level study concentrated specifically on the eye and vision health, and participation in annual continuing education courses, doctors of optometry have knowledge, clinical skill and geographic distribution to meet infants’ vision needs.
Optometrists have the experience and training to provide primary eye care to patients of all ages, including infants. Additionally, optometrists have relationships with pediatric eye specialists, enabling them to make referrals as appropriate.
No. The InfantSEE program grew out of a challenge from former President Carter to optometry in 2002 to develop a program that started professional eye care at a young age, with no cost to patients, health care insurance or the government. The AOA and Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation feel that optometry is uniquely suited to provide this primary eye care service to our nation’s children and has taken the initiative to meet this need.
To learn more about InfantSEE, or to find an InfantSEE optometrist in their area, parents are encouraged to visit www.InfantSEE.org or to call toll free 888-396-EYES (3937).