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Did you know that all babies can get a free eye exam by an optometrist when they are six months old? The American Optometric Association recommends all babies have their eyes checked at six months of age even if there are no concerns or symptoms. Having an exam early in a child’s life will enable an optometrist to identify certain vision issues and go ahead and begin treatment if needed.
So, how can your child receive a free exam?
By seeing an InfantSEE doctor!
What is InfantSEE?
Here is an excerpt from infantsee.org that explains the program:
“InfantSEE®, a public health program, managed by Optometry Cares® – the AOA Foundation, is designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an essential part of infant wellness care to improve a child’s quality of life. Under this program, participating optometrists provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment between 6 and 12 months of age as a no-cost public service.”
I found out about the program while I was doing some online research about my oldest daughter’s eyes. When I saw that she could receive a free eye exam, I scheduled her an appointment when she turned six months old. Scheduling an appointment was easy. I just went to infantsee.org and put in my zip code and the number of miles within, and it provided a list of nearby participating optometrists. A bunch of doctors came up in our area, so I did some research and found one that had stellar reviews and scheduled an appointment.
When we arrived for her appointment, I filled out some paperwork, and then the optometrist performed a variety of assessments on her eyes. Everything checked out great, and it gave me peace of mind knowing that her vision was developing properly.
I plan on having my second daughter’s eyes checked at six months as well!
For more information, check out www.infantsee.org.
