InfantSEE Providers

As InfantSEE providers, we offer no-cost eye exams for infants under the age of one through this national program established by the American Optometric Association. While we prefer to see infants around 6 to 7 months for their first exam, it’s never too late to schedule an appointment. We can perform comprehensive eye exams at any age. If you missed the window for an infant exam, we welcome children of all ages for vision screenings. These early evaluations allow us to assess your child’s visual development, detect potential issues like amblyopia, and ensure their eyes are developing properly at no cost to your family.

Common Warning Signs

Most children with lazy eye do not complain about vision problems. They have no way of knowing their vision is different from others. Because children typically won’t voice concerns about their vision, parents should watch for these behavioral signs during daily activities:

• Frequent squinting or closing one eye

• Head tilting when looking at objects

• Poor depth perception or clumsiness

• Difficulty with fine motor tasks

• Eye turn that may come and go

• Complaints of eye strain or headaches (when they do occur)

Because children don’t know they should see more clearly, annual comprehensive eye exams are essential for every child, even if they seem to be doing fine. Early intervention dramatically improves treatment outcomes, with the most effective results typically occurring before age 7. However, recent research suggests older children and even some adults may benefit from amblyopia treatment, though recovery typically takes longer and may be less complete.may benefit from amblyopia treatment, though recovery typically takes longer and may be less complete.

Prescription Glasses and Contact Lenses

For children with refractive amblyopia, properly prescribed glasses or contact lenses are the first line of treatment. Correcting significant refractive differences between the eyes allows both eyes to receive clear images, supporting healthy visual development.

The Shaw Lens, incorporated into eyeglasses, offers particularly effective treatment for refractive amblyopia by providing the brain with equal-sized images from each eye. This balanced visual input supports more natural visual development. Correcting significant refractive differences between the eyes allows both eyes to receive clear images, supporting healthy visual development. When strabismus contributes to amblyopia, we work closely with pediatric ophthalmologists to coordinate surgical correction when necessary.

Vision Therapy

Active vision therapy exercises may complement traditional treatments, particularly for children with residual binocular vision problems after successful amblyopia treatment. These supervised activities help strengthen eye coordination and improve depth perception skills that may have been affected by the condition.