Catching Vision Problems Through InfantSEE
Most parents don’t think twice about scheduling/schlepping kids to doctor and dentist appointments. But for some reason we usually don’t think about our kids’ vision. And vision problems, especially undiagnosed ones, affect the way your child learns, interprets and interacts with the world. And that’s why there’s InfantSEE.
InfantSEE is a public health program developed to provide professional eye care for infants nationwide at no cost to parents. The program was created and is supported by the American Optometric Association (AOA), in partnership with The Vision Care Institute of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.
According to the InfantSEE site, “vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in the United States and the most prevalent handicapping condition during childhood.”
“Many parents are surprised to learn that the first year of life is one of the most critical stages of a child’s visual development,” said Dr. Thomas Cullinane, a St. Louis-area optometrist and InfantSEE provider. “It’s the ideal time to detect eye and vision problems before these conditions worsen or cause developmental delays.”
Many of us (me included) assume that if there was an early vision problem, the pediatrician would catch it. But that’s not always the case. According to recent stats, a typical well-child check up lasts an average of 22.1 minutes. Eye and vision disorders aren’t typically detectable by base-level screening.
According to the site, “Pediatricians provide an important base-level eye screening that is designed to detect gross eye abnormalities. A comprehensive eye assessment by an optometrist is designed to detect much more and is an important part of your well baby care.”
Although infants cannot respond verbally, the first year of life is an ideal time to conduct an extensive eye assessment. The testing is painless and often fun for the child. Babies sit on a parent’s lap during the test while the optometrist uses lights or other objects to gauge eye health.
For a list of participating doctors as well as information on your baby’s eye health and program background, check out the organization’s site. Over 7,000 AOA-member optometrists have volunteered to serve as InfantSEE® optometrists nationwide. St. Louis parents can find a list of optometrists with in the area online or right here.
Arnold
Dr. Diane Wilson
1235 Water Tower
636-296-8612
Creve Coeur
Dr. Thomas Cullinane
12619 Olive Blvd.
314-579-0909
Ellisville
Dr. Gary DeLancey
113 Old State Rd
636-256-7800
Florissant
Dr. Paul Whitten
875 St. Francois
314-839-2400
Maryland Heights
Fox Eye Care Professionals
2037 Dorsett Village Rd
314-205-9797
O’Fallon
Dr. Robert Goerss
Dr. Erin Gagnon
302 E. Pitman St.
636-272-1444
Regional Eyecare Assc.
3013 Winghaven Blvd
636-561-3937
St. Charles
Dr. Angela MacDonald
1592 Country Club Plaza Dr.
636-949-2900
St. Louis
Barbara Aalbers
621 S. New Ballas Rd.
314-251-6430
Dr. Michael Antoine
2493 St. Louis Galleria
314-862-1525
Dr. Thebe Bagwasi
3270 Telegraph Rd.
314-845-3164
Dr. Cheryl Davidson
12401 Olive Blvd., #206
314-628-9100
Dr. Frank Fontana
16 Hampton Village Plaza, Ste. 249
314-353-6171
Dr. Ralph Garzia
8100 Natural Bridge Rd. c/o UMSL
314-516-5358
Dr. Steven Rosen
474 Crestwood Plaza
314-968-3660
Dr. Sara Schmitz
2533 Woodson
314-423-3874
Dr. Erin Sullivan
621 S. New Ballas Rd., # 5006B
314-432-5478
Dr. Jeffrey Weaver
7800 Natural Bridge Rd. c/o UMSL
314-516-5131
Town & Country
Dr. Lisa Dibler
171 Lamp and Lantern Vlg.
636-527-8877
Troy
Dr. Kurt Finklang
Dr. Rachel Merriman
84 Professional Pkwy
636-528-2020
Webster Groves
Dr. Cheryl Davidson
7954 Big Bend Blvd
314-628-9100
Wentzville
Dr. Matt Wickham
Dr. Lisa Mackey
1776 Crosswinds Dr.
636-327-8433
