DR. MARLA MOON: So when should a child have their first eye examination? The American Public Health Association recommends that a child have their first eye examination at six months of age, and again
at three, and again at five years of age. The InfantSEE program is a public health program for America's youngest patients, sponsored by the American Optometric Association and Johnson & Johnson.
InfantSEE Program provides a one-time, no-cost public health program to provide eye care for infants, for babies between six and 12 months of age. This program complements the pediatrician well- baby
vision screenings. There is no cost regardless of a family's income for this service. Vision is a learned process. The most critical stages of vision development occur during the first year of life.
Therefore, undetected vision problems can lead to permanent visual impairment. The pediatric clinical care guidelines recommend a basic eye screening, not an eye examination, that's part of a
well-baby health exam which basically their guidelines are a red pupil reflex and eye alignment is what's checked. Studies show though, that physicians do not consistently conduct this pediatric
vision screening during the clinical visits. And only 14% of all children have had an eye examination prior enrolling in school. So what's happening to those 86% that are not? Of the three- to
five-year-olds that are seen by pediatricians, only 66% have received a vision screening. Screenings were not attempted on more than 60% of three-year-olds, and of children who failed a screening, 50%
of the parents were unaware of the fact that their child failed a screening, even two months later. And this is some statistics that were printed in the pediatric journals. Comprehensive eye
examinations and vision screening programs should not be confused. Each have a different purpose and generate different results. Examinations are necessary even if screenings are done periodically. So
a summary of the InfantSEE program is, it is a public health program to ensure that optometric eye and vision care becomes an integral part of an infant's wellness care to improve a child's quality of
life. It's a free visual assessment for children one year of age or under, it's sponsored by the American Optometric Association and Johnson & Johnson vision care. For more information on this
program, and to provide information on participating doctors in your area, you contact the website, www.InfantSEE.org, and you will find doctors in your area that are providers under this program. It is
a nationwide program. Good vision, it all begins with the infant. If you have any questions with regard to this module, please contact me, in State College at Nittany Eye Associates, the best way to
get a hold of me is via my email, drmoon@nittanyeye.com, and I usually respond back to e-mails within 48 hours. Thank you very much for allowing me to participate in this program.
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