Free Pediatric Eye Exams Offered

2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 28, 2008) Vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in the United States and the most prevalent handicapping condition during childhood, yet only 14 percent of children under the age of 6 have had an eye and vision examination.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 28, 2008) Vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in the United States and the most prevalent handicapping condition during childhood, yet only 14 percent of children under the age of 6 have had an eye and vision examination. The physicians at Southwest Florida Eye Care are remedying that by participation in InfantSEE®, a public health program of the American Optometric Association and The Vision Care Institute of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. designed to ensure that every infant in America has the opportunity for a professional eye and vision assessment during the first year of life at no charge. “One out of ten children is at risk from undiagnosed vision problems,” says Brian Marhue, O.D., a board-certified optometrist with Southwest Florida Eye Care. “Parents should include a trip to their eye doctor in the list of well-baby check-ups. Early detection of eye conditions is the best way to ensure your child has healthy vision and now, with the InfantSEE program, that first check-up is completely free.” An InfantSEE assessment between six and 12 months of age is recommended to determine if an infant is at risk for eye or vision disorders. Health professionals estimate as many as 100,000 infants are born each year who are at risk for serious eye and vision problems including amblyopia (commonly known as lazy eye) and strabismus (a condition in which the eyes do not work in coordination with each other). During well-baby check-ups, pediatricians provide an important base-level eye screening that is designed to detect gross eye abnormalities. A comprehensive eye assessment by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is designed to detect much more and is an important part of well baby care. “Vision is critically important in the growth, development and daily performance of children, says Dr. Marhue. “Good vision includes healthy eyes, age appropriate visual acuity, visual integration and visual skills such as eye teaming, eye focusing and eye motility. A thorough eye exam early in an infant’s life can evaluate these components and help ensure your child reaches his or her potential.” Former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter serve as honorary national chair and spokespersons for InfantSEE. The Carters have two grandchildren with amblyopia. For one grandchild, the condition went undetected until he was well into grade school, when classroom difficulties made the condition apparent. Had a program like InfantSEE been in place then, he may have been treated with far less effort and would have found academic success sooner. InfantSEE exams can be made by calling the Fort Myers office of Southwest Florida Eye Care at (239) 768-0006. Southwest Florida Eye Care is a full-service eye care medical practice offering comprehensive eye exams for all ages and specializing in cataract and glaucoma evaluations and treatment; treatment for corneal eye disease; LASIK laser vision correction; eyeglasses and contact lenses; and emergency eye care. The physicians associated with the practice include Rick Palmon, M.D.; Richard Glasser, M.D.; Brian Marhue, O.D.; Penny J. Orr, O.D.; and Leonard Avril, O.D. Offices are located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Naples. More information is available at www.swfleye.com