Too Few Infants Get Comprehensive Eye Assessments; One In 10 Have Undetected Vision Problems

One in 10 infants in the U.S. have undetected vision problems, ranging from crossed eyes to cancer. While most parents know eye and vision problems can be detected in children before they're a year old, only 19 percent of those who participated in the American Optometric Association's (AOA) annual Eye-Q® survey report taking their infant for a comprehensive eye assessment. Thirty-three percent of parents wait until their child is between one and two years of age, while 26 percent wait until their child is five years of age or older.


"It is critical that infants undergo a comprehensive eye assessment from an optometrist by the time they turn a year old," said Dr. Glen Steele, optometrist and chair of the InfantSEE® committee, a program of Optometry Cares The AOA Foundation. "Optometrists have the clinical background and expertise to detect eye and vision problems as well as ensure your baby has healthy eyes and their vision is developing appropriately."


Unfortunately, only 19 percent of respondents know that cancer can be detected in an infant's eyes, while the majority of respondents understand problems like lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed eyes, nearsightedness and farsightedness could be identified.


"Early intervention is essential for maintaining infant eye and vision health," said Dr. Steele. "Most conditions are easier to treat when caught early."


Traditional eye chart testing requires identification of letters or symbols and demands sustained attention, making it impossible to use with infants and toddlers. Instead, an evaluation of visual acuity includes tests to assess whether an infant can fix his eyes on an object and follow the object, or identify which objects the baby prefers to look and at what distances.


"It is crucial that parents understand the importance of comprehensive eye exams for infants and how they are administered," said Dr. Steele. "The good news about a trip to the optometrist is that most babies seem to enjoy the 'games' we use to determine whether their visual development is progressing normally and their eyes are healthy."


Demographic Comparisons


Ethnicity Comparisons


According to the 2010 Eye-Q® survey, Hispanics (26 percent) are more likely than Caucasians (17 percent) and African-Americans (16 percent) to take their baby for a comprehensive eye assessment before their first birthday. The majority of Caucasians (35 percent) wait until their child is between one and two years of age, while the majority of African-Americans (36 percent) wait until their child is five years of age or older to have a comprehensive eye exam administered.


Gender Comparisons


Surprisingly, more men (21 percent) than women (17 percent) report having their infants' eyes checked by an eye doctor between six months and one year of age. In addition, the majority of male respondents (37 percent) reported their child having a comprehensive eye exam for the first time between one and two years of age, compared to the majority of female respondents (37 percent) who said their child was five years or older.


How the AOA Can Help


Optometry Cares - The AOA Foundation and Vistakon®, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. created InfantSEE®, a no-cost public health program developed to provide professional eye care for infants nationwide. Through InfantSEE®, optometrists provide a one-time, comprehensive eye assessment to infants between six and 12 months of age, regardless of a parent's ability to pay.


The AOA recommends that infants have an InfantSEE® assessment before their first birthday and young children have comprehensive eye exams at age three, before starting school and then every two years thereafter.


Source: InfantSEE