Arkansas Optometrists Participate in InfantSEE® Week to Improve Infant Eye and Vision Care

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to the overwhelming number of children with eye and vision problems across the United States, Arkansas optometrists are devoting appointments throughout the year to no-cost, comprehensive eye and vision assessments for infants between six to 12 months of age through InfantSEE®. To call attention to and emphasize the importance of this effort, October 24 through October 29, 2011 has been declared InfantSEE® Week in Arkansas.

InfantSEE®, an ongoing public health program developed by Optometry Cares® - The AOA Foundation and Vistakon, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., was designed to provide professional eye care for infants nationwide at no-cost, regardless of family income or number of eligible children.

One in 10 infants is at risk from undiagnosed eye and vision problems, which, if undetected, could lead to permanent vision impairment, and in rare cases, life-threatening health risks. However, only 14 percent of children from infancy to age six have had a comprehensive eye assessment from an eye care professional, according to the American Optometric Association's Pediatric Eye and Vision study. In Arkansas, great strides are being made to ensure that potential eye and vision problems are detected early. Infant eye assessments have been available in the state since the InfantSEE® program launched in 2005.

"Children learn an incredible amount from birth to age 5, so helping a child develop their visual system is so important," said Dr. Wanda Vaughn, an Arkansas optometrist and InfantSEE® provider. "Fortunately none of my exams have detected cancer or tumors, but the program has allowed my colleagues across the nation to detect cancer or other severe eye problems in infants."

Local resident Samantha George brought her twin sons, Garrick and Asher, for an InfantSEE® exam when they were six months old. Garrick was diagnosed with hyperopia (farsightedness) during the initial exam and was subsequently prescribed glasses by the time he was a year old.

"I never imagined a child so young could have severe vision problems and need glasses," said George. "I'm grateful I found out about the InfantSEE® program so we could start correcting Garrick's vision problem early on. Some children's vision problems are not caught until they are of school age."

The InfantSEE® program launched in 2005 with support from former President Jimmy Carter, honorary national spokesperson. To date, more than 8,800 optometrists nationwide volunteer their time to provide assessments to babies in their communities. The majority of vision problems detected include severe hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), congenital glaucoma and congenital cataract. A less common vision problem that can also be detected during an infant's comprehensive eye assessment includes retinoblastoma (eye cancer).

In an effort to ensure healthy vision and eye health in Arkansas infants, parents can bring their infant for a no-cost assessment at participating optometrists' offices by appointment.

Fort Smith
Dr. Bobby Decker
2829 Bella Vista Way
Bella Vista, AR 72714
(479) 855-0009

Dr. Jeff Net
1720 S. Walton Blvd., Suite 2
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 271-2225

Dr. Megan Petty
101 Dawn Dr.
Centerton, AR 72719
(479) 795-1411

Dr. Laura Austin
3081 N. Hwy. 112
Fayetteville, AR 72704
(479) 527-0100

Dr. Allyson Mertins
1188 N. Salem Rd., Suite 12
Fayetteville, AR 72704
(479) 442-8400

Dr. Michael Waggoner
2630 E. Citizens Dr., Suite 6
Fayetteville, AR 72704
(479) 582-1212

Dr. Steven Stiles
2401 S. Waldron Rd.
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-2020

Dr. Wanda Vaughn
1021 S. Waldron Rd.
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 478-8860

Dr. Justin Beavers
4208 Pleasant Crossing
Rogers, AR 72758
(479) 631-2030

Dr. Justin Beavers
7058 W. Sunset Ave., Suite 3
Springdale, AR 72762
(479) 631-2030

Dr. Alex Bell
408 N. 8th St., Suite A
Rogers, AR 72756
(479) 636-1960

Dr. Kate Landis
1401 W. Walnut St.
Rogers, AR 72756
(479) 636-2012

Dr. Christopher Morris
408 N. 8th St., Suite A
Rogers, AR 72756
(479) 636-1960

Dr. William Philpott
960 S. Mount Olive St., Suite A
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
(479) 524-5161

Dr. Wesley Andersen
3291 S. Thompson St., Suite C101
Springdale, AR 72764
(479) 751-3937

Dr. Kimberly Ann Owens
1602 E. Robinson Ave., Suite M
Springdale, AR 72762
(479) 750-9996

Dr. Jill Robertson
1600 W. Sunset
Springdale AR, 72764
(479) 756-1234

Dr. Belinda Starkey
1600 W. Sunset
Springdale AR, 72764
(479) 756-1234

Jonesboro
Dr. Courtney Hoffman
800 Professional Acres Blvd.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
(870) 972-5540

Dr. Matthew Hoffman
800 Professional Acres Blvd.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
(870) 972-5540

Dr. Christy Michelle Neeley
1817 Executive Square
Jonesboro, AR 72401
(870) 930-9200

Dr. Elizabeth Kilgore
325 W. Jackson
Piggott, AR 72454
(870) 598-2625

Dr. Amy Tolbert
204 N. Thomasville Ave.
Pocahontas, AR 72455
(870) 892-9169

Little Rock
Dr. Samuel Dunkin Cooke
2402 Harrison St.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-4681

Dr. James Davis
2615 Harrison St.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-4400

Dr. John Mark Davis
2615 Harrison St.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-4400

Dr. James Dale Ladd
1119 N. St. Louis St.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-5288

Dr. Justin Franks
3401 Hwy. 5 N.
Benton, AR 72019
(501) 847-9797

Dr. Amanda Moore-Elczyn
113 W. Carpenter
Benton, AR 72015
(501) 778-2363

Dr. Creighton Simmons
113 W. Carpenter
Benton, AR 72015
(501) 778-2363

Dr. Russell Simmons
113 W. Carpenter
Benton, AR 72015
(501) 778-2363

Dr. Bryan Gardner Armstrong
2900 Horizon St., Suite 14
Bryant, AR 72022
(501) 653-2020

Dr. Jason Bright
100 Bryant Ave.
Bryant, AR 72022
(501) 653-2442

Dr. Jessica Dinwiddie
215 W. Main St.
Cabot, AR 72023
(501) 843-7511

Dr. Allison Hall
230 E. Market St.
Clarksville, AR 72830
(479) 705-2022

Dr. Leigh Cox
821 Hogan Lane #500
Conway, AR 72034
(501) 548-0226

Dr. Susan DeBlack
4150 Tyler St., Suite 1
Conway, AR 72034
(501) 329-7878

Dr. Shane Ford
3005 Fountain Dr.
Conway, AR 72034
(501) 329-9851

Dr. Rebecca King
201 Skyline Dr. #37
Conway, AR 72032
(501) 450-9191

Dr. Eric Robbins
3005 Fountain Dr.
Conway, AR 72034
(501) 329-9851

Dr. Annette Webb-Stevenson
1540 Airport Rd., Suite C
Hot Springs, AR 71913
(501) 318-2020

Dr. Sarah Denman
9800 Lile Dr., Suite 301
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 225-4488

Dr. Randall Teague
11115 Hermitage Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72211
(501) 455-4771

Dr. Clemit Liles, Jr.
703-J. Hwy. 71 N.
Mena, AR 71953
(479) 394-4215

Dr. Bryant Buford Ashley, Jr.
3418 Camp Robinson Rd.
North Little Rock, AR 72118
(501) 758-1015

Dr. Roger Patrick Neal
2524 Crestwood Rd.
North Little Rock, AR 72116
(501) 758-3050

Dr. Jason Gates
200 N. Harwood St.
Newport, AR 72112
(870) 523-3200

Dr. Gavin McDowell
2101 Malcolm Ave.
Newport, AR 72112
(870) 523-3333

Dr. Herman Ginger
2701 Hazel St.
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
(870) 535-7690

Dr. Lori Canfield
317 E. Parkway Dr.
Russellville, AR 72801
(479) 967-6113

Dr. Finis Bailey, Jr.
2033 E. Race Ave.
Searcy, AR 72143
(501) 268-1400

Dr. Patricia Westfall-Elsberry
410 W. Race St.
Searcy, AR 72143
(501) 268-3577

Dr. Robert Smalling
119 N. Main St.
Warren, AR 71671
(870) 226-6731

Memphis
Dr. Richard Dean Gurley
527 N. 6th St.
Blytheville, AR 72315
(870) 762-2297

Dr. Matthew Jones
527 N. 6th St.
Blytheville, AR 72315
(870) 763-2552

Dr. Martha Gore
330 Dillard Ave.
Forrest City, AR 72335
(870) 633-1174

Dr. Dale Morris
330 Dillard Ave.
Forrest City, AR 72335
(870) 633-1174

Dr. Julia Rebecca Jackson
618 Julia Ave. E
Wynne, AR 72396
(870) 238-2020

Monroe/El Dorado
Dr. Jeffrey Smith
1602 S. Main
Crossett, AR 71635
(870) 364-8996

Springfield
Dr. Michael McFarland
105 S. Springfield St.
Berryville, AR 72616
(870) 423-2576

Dr. Jerry Ellis
197 Hospital Dr., Suite A
Cherokee Village, AR 72529
(870) 257-2100

Dr. Sabre Wright
519 N. Willow
Harrison, AR 72601
(870) 741-2787

Dr. Roger Byron Totten
102 Spring St., P.O. Box 97
Melbourne, AR 72556

InfantSEE® assessments are complementary to the routine well-care exams a baby receives from a pediatrician or family physician. Optometrists have the training to identify areas of risk that are critical to vision development and the skills to identify conditions that might not be detected in a routine pediatric wellness exam. In some cases, conditions may need to be monitored, immediately treated or referred to a pediatric eye specialist.

To learn more about InfantSEE® visit www.InfantSEE.org or call toll free 888-396-EYES (3937).

About InfantSEE®

InfantSEE® is a public health program managed by Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation. Designed to ensure that eye and vision care become an integral part of infant wellness and improve a child's quality of life, doctors of optometry provide one-time, no-cost eye and vision assessment to infants between the ages of 6 and 12 months regardless of family income or access to insurance coverage. For more information, visit www.infantsee.org.

About the American Optometric Association

American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors, on the frontline of eye health and vision care, who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in an individual's overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases. Doctors of optometry have the skills and training to provide more than two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States. The American Optometric Association represents more than 36,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians in nearly 6,500 communities across the country. For more information, visit www.aoa.org.

SOURCE InfantSEE