Introducing InfantSEE

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Introducing InfantSEE
A Public Health Program for Americas Youngest
Patients
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• One-time no-cost public health program provides
  eye care for infants
• for babies 6-12 months of age
• complements pediatrician well-baby vision
  screenings
• no cost regardless of income

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Vision is Learned

• Most critical stages of vision development occur
  in the first year of life.
• Undetected vision problems can lead to permanent
  vision impairment.

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Need for InfantSEE

• Potential for childhood vision problems is
  significant, yet manageable (when caught early)
• 1 in 30 will develop amblyopia
• 1 in 25 will develop strabismus
• 1 in 33 will show significant refractive error
• Eye Diseases will be evident in 1 in 100
• Retinoblastoma rare but possible (1 in 20,000)

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Need for InfantSEE

• Vision development is an important part of child
  development
• Early child development is critical early in
  life
• 1st year - 50 of what we need to know for life
  is learned.
• 2nd year- another 25 is learned
• 3rd year and beyond- only 25 of lifes survival
  skills are added.

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Infant Eye Care Background

• Pediatric clinical care guidelines recommend a
  basic eye screening as part of a well-baby
  health exam.
• Red pupil reflex and eye alignment
• Studies show physicians do not consistently
  conduct pediatric vision screening during
  clinical visit.
• Only 14 of all children have had an eye exam
  prior to entering school.

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Child Eye Care Background

• Of 3-5 year olds seen by pediatricians, only 66
  received a vision screening.
• Screening was not attempted on more than 60 of
  three-year-olds.
• Of children who failed a screening, 50 of the
  parents were unaware of the fact 2 months later.

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Screenings vs. Examinations

• Comprehensive eye exams and vision screening
  programs should not be confused.
• Each has different purpose, generates different
  results
• Examinations are necessary even if screenings are
  done periodically

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AOA Recommendations for Exam Frequency

• An initial comprehensive eye and vision
  examination should take place
• Between the ages of 6-12 months
• Again at age three
• Before a child starts school, and
• Every two years thereafter.

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InfantSEE Assessment
What will take place during the assessment?
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InfantSEE Assessment

• Parental involvement is important in every facet
  of childs lifeincluding in learning to see.
• InfantSEE helps infants develop full vision
  potential with eye and vision assessments and
  patient education.
• Over 7300 AOA members volunteer as InfantSEE
  providers, representing all 50 states and D.C.

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GOOD VISION...it all begins with the infant!