The InfantSee Program

The InfantSee program is a newer program designed to check for common and even rare eye problems in babies. The American Optometric Association along with Johnson and Johnson's Vision Care Institute have started this wonderful program. It is only offered by certain optometrists. It is a free service. It can detect problems such as amblyopia and retinoblastomas. This program is not to replace a well baby visit at the pediatrician's office but to be a supplemental type visit at a specially trained optometrist.

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn are the honorary spokespersons for the program. Two of their grandchildren have been diagnosed with amblyopia, which is sometimes referred to as lazy eye. If this program was in effect years ago, their grandchildren may have been able to be diagnosed and treated much earlier.

One in every ten children is at risk for an undiagnosed eye problem. Early detection is the key. If a baby is found to have a condition, it can usually be reversed if caught early enough. Vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in the United States.

A baby should be seen between the ages of six months old and twelve months old if possible. At six months old, a baby has reached many milestones, making this age a great age to have the InfantSee exam done. Many visual abilities are fully functioning by six months old. If a condition is found at such an early age, it can usually be treated much easier than if it is found later in childhood.

An InfantSee exam is not a scary exam. There are no shots, blood drawing or cold medical instruments present. The optometrist doesn't even need to touch the baby. The exam consists of shining lights in the eyes of the baby and having the baby look in certain places. The doctor does a number of different tests to ascertain visual acuity, refractive status, eye movement, eye alignment and overall eye health.

The visual acuity test is to assess if the infant can fix it's eyes upon an object and follow it when it is moving. The refractive status test is to access how the eye responds to particular objects. The eye movement test is to see how the baby follows a moving object. The different parts of the eye are checked for overall health including the tear ducts, pupil and eye lids.

Out of the millions of babies born each year, one in every twenty thousand will be diagnosed with a rare eye disease, retinoblastoma. This is fatal if left untreated. Retinoblastoma is cancer of the retina. It needs to be treated as soon as it is detected for the best outcome. An InfantSee optometrist can detect this condition if it is present and start treatment immediately.

All new parents should consider taking their baby to an InfantSee exam. Only specially trained optometrists do this exam and it is always free. I have taken two of my children to InfantSee exams. I took them both around the age of nine to twelve months. Luckily, they had great exams with no problems found. If they had a problem, I would want to know as soon as possible so that treatment could be easier and quicker than if I had waited until later in their childhood. The exam is not scary at all and the parent stays with the child the entire time. It is quick as well. It is usually completely done in under fifteen minutes. The doctor takes some medical history on the baby as well as the mother during her pregnancy and delivery of the baby. It is a very thorough exam. The optometrist will send a letter to your pediatrician so that they can keep that information on file.

With such a great at stake, your baby's vision and overall health, it is stupid not to take advantage of a free exam. The InfantSee exam has been known to save a few children's lives as well. To find a participating InfantSee physician, check out the website, www.infantsee.org. There is a spot on the website to find a local participating optometrist. It only takes a few minutes of your time and no money out of your pocket, so do it for your child's health.