FREE INFANT EYE EXAMS AT FOCAL POINTE EYE CARE
Healthy eyes and good vision play a critical role in how infants learn to see. Eye and vision problems in infants can cause developmental delays.
Because infants develop and learn about the world around them through their sense of sight, children should receive their first eye assessment around 6 months of age.
Focal Pointe Eye Care participates in the InfantSEE program developed by the American Optometric Association and offers a free eye assessment between 6 and 12 months of age.
INFANTSEE
InfantSEE is the American Optometric Association’s public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child’s quality of life. Under this program, participating optometrists provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment between 6 and 12 months of age as a no-cost public service. Dr. Lyons has been an InfantSEE provider since the launch of the program in 2005.
Focal Pointe provides a free exam for infants between ages 6 and 12 months to screen for major conditions. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of this free service even if your child has no apparent eye or vision problems.
During this examination, the doctor will test for:
* Excessive or unequal amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
* Eye movement ability
* Eye health problems
It is important to identify children who have these issues at this young age. Vision development and eye health problems are easier to correct if treatment begins early.
To learn more about InfantSee, go to www.InfantSEE.org
AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION’S RECOMMENDED EXAMINATION FREQUENCY FOR THE PEDIATRIC PATIENT
| PATIENT AGE | ASYMPTOMATIC / RISK FREE | AT RISK |
|---|---|---|
| Birth to 24 Months | At 6 months of age | By 6 months of age or as recommended |
| 2 to 5 years | At 3 years of age | At 3 years of age or as recommended |
| 6 to 18 years | Before first grade and every two years thereafter | Annually or as recommended |
Children considered to be at risk for the development of eye and vision problems may need additional testing or more frequent re-evaluation. Factors placing an infant, toddler, or child at significant risk for visual impairment include:
- Prematurity, low birth weight, oxygen at birth, grade III or IV intraventricular hemorrhage
- Family history of retinoblastoma, congenital cataracts, or metabolic or genetic disease
- Infection of mother during pregnancy (e.g., rubella, toxoplasmosis, venereal disease, herpes, cytomegalovirus, or AIDS)
- Difficult or assisted labor, which may be associated with fetal distress or low Apgar scores
- High refractive error
- Strabismus
- Anisometropia
- Known or suspected central nervous system dysfunction evidenced by developmental delay, cerebral palsy, dysmorphic features, seizures, or hydrocephalus
Early detection and treatment of eye and visual problems can help ensure infants develop the visual abilities they'll need throughout life. The eye doctors and team at Focal Pointe Eye Care are here to help with the very best in infant eye exams and eyewear when needed. Call us today to schedule an appointment at 513-779-3937.