ND Optometrists Partner With U.S. Sens. Conrad and Dorgan, Rep. Pomeroy and Gov. Hoeven in Improving Infant Eye and Vision Care

BISMARCK, N.D., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ — Due to the overwhelming number of
children with eye and vision problems across the United States, Bismarck and
surrounding area optometrists are devoting appointments to no-cost,
comprehensive eye and vision assessments for infants between six to 12 months
of age through InfantSEE(R). InfantSEE(R), a public health program developed
by the American Optometric Association (AOA) in partnership with The Vision
Care Institute(TM), LLC a Johnson & Johnson company, was designed to provide
professional eye care for infants nationwide at no-cost, regardless of family
income or number of eligible children.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of early childhood health
screenings,” said Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND). “I encourage parents across
North Dakota to take advantage of the InfantSEE(R) program. Have your child
assessed in order to detect and treat any potential vision problems before
they interfere with their learning.”

“As parents, we regularly take our children to the dentist to help prevent
cavities. Likewise, we should have our children’s vision screened at an early
age to prevent potential eye and vision problems down the road,” said
Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND). “I applaud our local optometrists for
providing free InfantSEE(R) assessments, and encourage families to take
advantage of this useful service.”

To encourage parents to take advantage of the InfantSEE(R) program and to
help protect infant vision and eye health, Governor John Hoeven has officially
declared Monday, February 23 through Friday, February 27 InfantSEE(R) Week in
the state of North Dakota.

“Protecting infant vision and eye health is an integral part of North
Dakota’s commitment to the health and wellness of our children,” Hoeven said.
“I commend the North Dakota Optometric Association and optometrists across the
state for providing this important program to North Dakota families.”

One in 10 children are 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. In Bismarck and surrounding areas, great strides are being
made to ensure that potential eye and vision problems are detected early.
Infant eye assessments have been available in North Dakota since the
InfantSEE(R) program launched in 2005.

“Many parents are surprised to learn that the first year of life is one of
the most critical stages of a child’s visual development,” said Dr. Danelle
Moch, a Bismarck-area optometrist and InfantSEE(R) provider. “It’s the ideal
time to detect eye and vision problems before these conditions worsen or cause
developmental delays.”

The program launched in 2005 with support from former President Jimmy
Carter, honorary national chair. Nearly 8,000 optometrists nationwide
volunteer their time to provide assessments to babies in their communities.
The majority of vision problems detected included retinoblastoma (eye cancer),
severe hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), congenital
glaucoma and congenital cataract.

“As a special education teacher, I know the importance of identifying
developmental issues early,” said Mary McCarvel-O’Connor, local mother of
Illyana. “I encourage all parents to take advantage of the InfantSEE(R)
program. I brought my daughter for an InfantSEE(R) assessment when she was six
months old and was relieved to find out her vision was healthy.”

To continue to improve infant eye assessment rates in Bismarck and
surrounding areas, the following eye care providers will offer no-cost
InfantSEE(R) eye assessments from February 23 to 27, by appointment:

    BISMARCK
    Dr. Brian C. Beattie
    Dr. Eve L. Kostelecky
    2331 Tyler Park Suite 2
    701-258-4384

    Dr. Shanon S. Bencker
    738 Kirkwood Mall
    701-258-8810

    Dr. Thomas L. Deis
    Dr. Keith L. Schindler
    204 West Century Ave.
    701-255-0186

    Dr. Todd A. Kelsch
    210 West Front Ave.
    701-222-2461

    Dr. Danelle F. Moch
    1221 West Divide Ave., Suite 1
    701-224-0661

    Dr. Taya M. Patzman
    2821 Rock Island Place
    701-222-1140

    Dr. Thomas J. Samson
    200 South 5th Street
    701-222-3937

    Dr. Tim Tello
    1221 West Divide Ave. Ste. 1
    701-224-0661

    MANDAN
    Dr. James A. Helmers
    Dr. John N. Helmers
    Dr. Daniel J. Long
    113 3rd Ave. NW
    701-663-2020

    Dr. Daniel C. Little
    Dr. Terry Schmidt
    107 6th Ave. NW
    701-663-0313

    BOTTINEAU
    Dr. Paul Dunderland
    522 Main Street
    701-228-2219

    CARRINGTON
    Dr. Kathy M. Hendrickson
    110 9th Ave. South
    701-652-2020

    DEVILS LAKE
    Dr. Craig A. Bratvold
    211 4th Street NE, Ste. 1
    701-662-2817

    Dr. Carey L. Enderle
    Dr. Kyle D. Krein
    Dr. Mark A. Moen
    404 Highway 2 East
    701-662-4085

    DICKINSON
    Dr. Nate Shilman
    448 21st Street, Ste. D-1
    701-225-7886

    FARGO
    Dr. Angela K. Darveaux
    3902 13th Ave. South, Ste. 406
    701-281-3084

    Dr. Kristin F. Engstrom
    4731 13th Ave. South
    701-281-2746

    Dr. Shari L. Kensok
    3051 25th Street South #K2
    701-234-0766

    Dr. Lori Scheel
    1702 South University Drive
    701-364-6116

    GRAFTON
    Dr. Michelle K. Carter
    415 Hill Ave.
    701-352-1370

    GRAND FORKS
    Dr. David Biberdorf
    2200 South Washington Street
    701-775-3135

    Dr. Kari E. Torkelson
    Dr. Jeffery B. Yunker
    2900 South Columbia Rd.
    701-746-6745

    Dr. Jason Schaff
    2200 South Washington
    701-775-3135

    HARVEY
    Dr. Steve Kourajian
    901 Lincoln Ave.
    701-324-2154

    LANGDON
    Dr. Richard H. Eklof
    324 9th Ave., Ste. 1
    701-256-2269

    LISBON
    Dr. Corey R. Mairs
    17 11th Ave. West
    701-683-5815

    MINOT
    Dr. Jason Bradley
    207 South Main Street
    701-852-5626

    Dr. Bruce A. Moen
    1100 31st Ave. SW, Ste. 2
    701-837-0022

    Dr. Robert P. Nyre
    10 1st Street SW
    701-852-2020

    OAKES
    Dr. Geoffrey A. Rath
    409 West Main
    701-742-3111

    PARK RIVER
    Dr. Dori M. Carlson
    Dr. Mark K. Helgeson
    121 Briggs Ave. North
    701-284-7330

    WAHPETON
    Dr. William Welder
    315 North 11th Street, Ste. A
    701-642-4090

    WATERFORD CITY
    Dr. Douglas Nordby
    109 5th Street SW
    701-444-3221

    DILWORTH, MN
    Dr. Becky McIlonie
    415 34th Street North
    218-233-9839

InfantSEE(R) 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(R), visit http://www.InfantSEE.org.

About InfantSEE(R)

InfantSEE(R) is a public health program managed by Optometry’s Charity(TM)
- 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 eye and vision assessment to infants free-of-
charge regardless of socioeconomic status. For more information visit
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
http://www.aoa.org.

About The Vision Care Institute

The Vision Care Institute of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. is an
innovative educational resource created to prepare optometry students for a
successful transition into the real world of delivering quality eye care, as
well as to assist practicing Eye Care Professionals in the growth and
development of their practice. The state-of-the-art facility gives
participants a rare opportunity to gain first-hand experience with the latest
in vision diagnostic and treatment technologies through hands-on contact lens
instruction. Besides clinical training, participants also concentrate on
communication skills. The curriculum, taught by leading eye care
practitioners from around the country, gives participants the skills and
confidence necessary to excel in today’s professional practice. The Vision
Care Institute has hosted students from all 19 of the schools and colleges of
optometry throughout North America at its headquarters in Jacksonville,
Florida.

     Contact:
     Julie Mahoney                       Madonna Duncan
     American Optometric Association     Hill & Knowlton
     (314) 991-4100 x4176                (312) 255-3143
     JMMahoney@aoa.org                   madonna.duncan@hillandknowlton.com

SOURCE InfantSEE; American Optometric Association