The InfantSEE Program: Why Your Baby Needs an Eye Exam Before Their First Birthday

Your baby’s first year is full of rapid growth, and vision plays a major role in how they learn, connect, and explore. From following your face to reaching for toys, healthy eyes help support important early milestones. Even when everything appears normal, some eye and vision concerns can be hard for parents to detect at home. That is why scheduling an InfantSEE eye exam before your baby’s first birthday is a simple, proactive way to support their development and overall eye health.

How InfantSEE Supports Your Baby’s Eye Health

InfantSEE is a public health program managed by Optometry Cares - The AOA Foundation. It helps make early eye and vision care more accessible by providing a no-cost comprehensive eye and vision assessment for infants between 6 and 12 months old, regardless of family income or insurance coverage.

We participate in the InfantSEE Program to help families in Greenfield, IN and surrounding areas take a proactive approach to their child’s eye health during this important stage of development.

Why Babies Need Eye Exams

A pediatrician may check your baby’s eyes during regular wellness visits, but an infant eye exam is more detailed. Our optometrist can evaluate how the eyes focus, move, and work together, as well as look for signs of eye health concerns that may need monitoring or treatment.

During an InfantSEE assessment, Dr. Wilson may check for:

•          Nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism

•          Eye alignment concerns, such as crossed or turned eyes

•          Eye movement and tracking ability

•          Signs of lazy eye risk

•          Overall eye health and development

Finding concerns early can make a meaningful difference. Some childhood vision problems are easier to manage when they are detected during infancy rather than after they begin affecting learning, coordination, or daily development.

Signs Your Baby May Need an Eye Exam

All babies between 6 and 12 months should be considered for an InfantSEE assessment, even without obvious symptoms. However, an exam is especially important if you notice concerns such as constant eye turning, excessive tearing, unusual eye movements, light sensitivity, frequent eye rubbing, or a white appearance in the pupil.

Family history can also matter. If parents or siblings have significant vision problems, eye turns, lazy eye, or childhood eye disease, early evaluation is a smart step.

What to Expect During an Infant Eye Exam

An infant eye exam is designed to be gentle and baby-friendly. Your baby does not need to know letters or respond like an older child. Dr. Wilson uses specialized techniques, lights, lenses, and observation to evaluate vision and eye health in an age-appropriate way. The goal is to make sure their visual development is on the right track and to give parents peace of mind.

Schedule an InfantSEE assessment with Wilson Eyecare Professionals to support your child’s early eye health and development. Visit our office in Greenfield, Indiana, or call (317) 477-3937 to book an appointment today.