InfantSEE® Key Messages

KEY MESSAGE #1

• Experts from the American Optometric Association and the American Public Health Association recommend that children visit an eye care professional in the first year of life – one of the most critical stages of visual development – to identify the potential for eye and vision problems.
• In fact, 1 in 10 children is at risk of developing eye and vision problems by the time they reach 18. If undetected, they could lead to permanent vision impairment, and in rare cases, life-threatening health risks.
• However, only 14 percent of children from infancy to age 6 have had a comprehensive eye assessment from an eye care professional.

KEY MESSAGE #2

• To address this currently unmet need, the American Optometric Association and the Vision Care Institute of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., have partnered to create InfantSEE^®, a no-cost public health program developed to provide professional eye care for infants nationwide.
• Through InfantSEE^®, optometrists will provide a one-time, comprehensive eye assessment to infants between 6 and 12 months of age, offering early detection of potential eye and vision problems at no cost regardless of income.
• There are more than 7,500 optometrists participating in the program.

KEY MESSAGE #3

• During InfantSEE^®’s first year, nearly 50,000 infants have been served by the program. (By the end of 2006, it is estimated that 80,000 babies were assessed.)
• AOA analyzed 10% (5,000) of the results. One in 20 infants was found to be at-risk for an abnormal prescription status, re-affirming the need for this valuable program. Optometrists found overall need for concern in just 1 in 14 infants, necessitating careful follow up or referral to a specialist.

KEY MESSAGE #4

• Early detection for the risk of potential eye and vision problems through a program like InfantSEE^® can prevent and help reduce the threat of serious vision impairments. To learn more about InfantSEE^® call toll-free 1-888-396-EYES (3937) or visit www.infantsee.org.

Additional Tips When Discussing the Program

• Use: Comprehensive eye and vision assessment
  
  Avoid: Eye exam, eye examination, vision examination, vision screening, etc.
  
  To reduce the chances of MDs and the media using their own choice - which often becomes “vision screening”.
  
  
• Use: Between six and twelve months
  
  Avoid: Before age one
  
  To encourage participating doctors to not perform assessments at any point between birth and one year, which leads to some requests for assessments for three month olds which is just too early to make good assessments.
  
  
• Use: Public health program
  
  Avoid: Eye exam program
  
  This puts a strong emphasis on the public health/prevention basis of the program.
  
  
• Use: “Thorough evaluation… of the posterior segment generally requires pupillary dilation.” 
  
  Avoid: Eye drops are optional
  
  Maintaining the language when referencing the AOA CPG on the matter of dilation, and to ensure a consistent message of what AOA believes is the course of a standard InfantSEE assessment.
  
  
• Use: No cost, no charge
  
  Avoid: Free
  
  This may help alleviate some of the negative connotation that members feel about the word free.