West Virginia Optometrists Partner With Sens. Byrd and Rockefeller, U.S. House Leaders in Improving Infant Eye and Vision Care
Posted on: Tuesday, 28 April 2009, 11:47 CDT
No-cost, comprehensive eye and vision assessments provided by InfantSEE(R) Program
CHARLESTON, W.Va., April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to the overwhelming number of children with eye and vision problems across the United States, West Virginia 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 Optometry's Charity(TM) - The AOA Foundation 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.
The InfantSEE(R) Weeks project is funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by a direct appropriation sponsored by U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.). A long-time advocate for advancing the health and well-being of all West Virginians, Sen. Byrd championed the InfantSEE(R) program after learning of the overwhelming number of children with eye and vision problems in the Mountain State and across America.
"Many parents of newborns do not know that the most dramatic development of a child's visual system occurs within the first year of life," said Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.). "And it is through early detection and treatment of potential problems that parents can help ensure poor vision and eye health does not severely affect their child's ability to learn and place them at a disadvantage in education and in life. That is why I have put my full support behind the InfantSEE(R) program and worked to secure federal resources to help our Mountain State optometrists, and their colleagues around the country, expand the scope and impact of this great program. I encourage all parents to take advantage of the InfantSEE(R) program and to make a lifetime of eye and vision health a top priority for the whole family."
"This free, early detection and prevention program is a great resource for West Virginia families, and I urge all parents to take advantage of the InfantSEE(R) Week for free comprehensive eye and vision assessments for infants," said Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller, IV (D-W.Va.) "I am a strong believer in making sure our children have access to quality, affordable care, and InfantSEE(R) is doing a great service by making this available at no cost to families."
Leading members of the U.S. House of Representatives delegation from West Virginia have also expressed their support for the InfantSEE(R) program. Reps. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Nick J. Rahall, II (D-W.Va.) urged local parents to have their infant's eyes assessed during InfantSEE(R) Week.
To encourage parents to take advantage of the InfantSEE(R) program and to help protect infant vision and eye health, Governor Joe Manchin has officially declared Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 15 InfantSEE(R) Week in West Virginia.
"I am proud to be involved with InfantSEE(R) Week as part of West Virginia's commitment to children's health and wellness," said First Lady, Gayle Manchin. "I encourage parents to take advantage of this public health program to help protect their infants' vision and eye health."
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 West Virginia, great strides are being made to ensure that potential eye and vision problems are detected early. Infant eye assessments have been available in West Virginia 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. Gary Veronneau, a West Virginia 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 parent, one of my biggest concerns is making sure my child's development is on track," said Marsha Burke, local mother of Rebekah, now age 3. "When I learned about the InfantSEE(R) program, it was an obvious decision to take Rebekah for an assessment. Knowing her vision is healthy puts my mind at ease!"
To continue to improve infant eye assessment rates in West Virginia, parents can bring their infant in for a no-cost assessment at the VSP InfantSEE(R) Mobile Clinic stationed in towns across the state. Also, for those parents who can't make it to the VSP InfantSEE(R) Mobile Clinic, optometrists from around the state will be providing these no-cost InfantSEE(R) eye assessments from May 4 through 15 in their offices by appointment.
VSP InfantSEE(R) Mobile Clinic Schedule - Walk-ins accepted
Monday, May 4 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Charleston, W.Va. - FamilyCare: Big Lots Plaza on Patrick St.,
116 Hills Plaza
Tuesday, May 5 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Beckley/Mt. Hope, W.Va. - Crossroads Mall: 2 Crossroads Mall
Wednesday, May 6 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Lewisburg, W.Va. - Robert Byrd Health Clinic: 400 N. Jefferson St.
Thursday, May 7 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Bluefield, W.Va. - Mercer Mall
Friday, May 8 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Logan, W.Va. - Wal-Mart: 77 Norman Morgan Blvd.
Monday, May 11 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Huntington, W.Va. - Pullman Square: 220 9th St.
Tuesday, May 12 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Parkersburg/Vienna, W.Va. - Grand Central Mall: 100 Grand Central Ave.
Wednesday, May 13 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wheeling/Triadelphia, W.Va. - Cabela's: One Cabela Dr., Triadelphia, WV
Thursday, May 14 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Bridgeport, W.Va. - Bridgeport Conference Center: 300 Conference
Center Way
Friday, May 15 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fairmont, W.Va. - Middletown Mall: 2500 Fairmont Ave.
Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Martinsburg, W.Va. - Martinsburg Mall: 800 Foxcroft Ave.
Participating Optometrist offering NO-COST InfantSEE(R) Assessments in
Their Offices - Appointment Required
Anmoore
Dr. Cynthia Zwolensky
67 Casino Dr., Ste. 102
304-627-3937
Barboursville
Dr. Glenn Bailey
Dr. Melissa Leoni
6010 US Route 60 East
304-733-0809
Beckley
Dr. Charles Field
701 S. Oakwood Ave.
304-253-3150
Dr. David Holliday
Dr. Mark Holliday
1928 Harper Rd.
304-252-1299
Dr. Charles Waitkus
624 Neville St.
304-253-8822
Bluefield
Dr. Frank Brittom
3101 Cumberland Rd.
304-325-3603
Dr. John Hendrix
Dr. Donald Taylor
332 Worth St.
304-325-8685
Bridgeport
Dr. J. William Barnes
Dr. Gregory Groves
Dr. Harry Murray, III
107 Doctors Dr.
304-842-6220
Charleston
Dr. Kent Hall
Dr. Jeffery Whittington
Dr. Sandra Whittington
3840 Pennsylvania Ave.
304-342-0660
Clarksburg
Dr. Jim Fick
Dr. Craig Liebig
538 B Emily Dr.
304-566-7709
Elkins
Dr. Edward Hyre
1500 Harrison Ave., Suite 2
304-636-9111
Fairmont
Dr. Cheryl C. Van Horn
3 Hutchinson Dr.
304-366-3830
Dr. Martin Carpenter
Dr. Phillip Wilmoth
709 Morgantown Ave.
304-366-4721
Dr. C.D. Laughlin
Dr. J.K. Wade
405 Locust Ave.
304-366-2020
Huntington
Dr. Chris Ratcliff
Dr. William Ratcliff
919 Fifth Ave., Ste 100
304-523-4819
Hurricane
Dr. James Herman
3709 Teays Valley Rd.
304-757-2533
Kenova
Dr. Gregory Browning
912 Oak St.
304-453-4072
Lewisburg
Dr. Nancy Collins
107 E Foster St.
304-645-7000
Logan
Dr. Arabel Hatfield
315 White & Browning Bldg.
304-752-4694
Dr. Mason Edward White, II
113 LB and T Way
304-752-2020
Morgantown
Dr. James Pasinski
1257 Pineview Dr.
304-599-7034
Moundsville
Dr. John Myers
511 Fifth St.
304-845-1560
New Martinsville
Dr. Neill Marshall
903 3rd Ave. South
304-455-4300
Dr. James Campbell
700 Kevin Dr., Ste. E
304-455-5861
Parkersburg
Dr. Jerry Lantz
2905 Emerson Ave.
304-422-3662
Dr. Douglas Conrath
Dr. Scott Lauer
Dr. Vicki Lauer
402 Avery St.
304-422-1841
Princeton
Dr. Scott Carpenter
1043 Stafford Dr.
304-487-2020
Dr. Christopher Hansen
Dr. Bradley Lane
700 Oakvale Rd.
304-425-2444
Rainelle
Dr. Gary Veronneau
1102 Main St.
304-438-8574
Ravenswood
Dr. Ben Mize
706 Washington St.
304-273-2020
Ripley
Dr. Howard Klapper
200 Academy Dr.
304-372-5981
St. Mary's
Dr. Larry Carr
214 Washington St.
304-684-2491
Sistersville
Dr. Rob Christen
Dr. Richard Stender
624 Wells St.
304-652-2459
Spencer
Dr. Brett Radow
149 Main St.
304-927-5112
South Charleston
Dr. Travis Taylor
Dr. Sarah Taylor
415 D St.
304-744-1303
Summersville
Dr. Eddie Prendergast
651 Water St.
304-872-5678
Williamson
Dr. Steven Wilson
126 W. Second Ave.
304-235-2020
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 www.InfantSEE.org.
Stay up-to-date on the VSP InfantSEE(R) Mobile Clinic at:
www.twitter.com/SeeLia
www.twitter.com/SeeZar
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 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.
About the VSP Family of Companies
VSP(R)'s family of companies includes the largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services company in the United States with 55 million members; VSP Labs, industry leaders in new technologies, production processes, service and logistics; Marchon(R) Eyewear Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers, designers and distributors of quality fashion and technologically-advanced eyewear and sunwear, distributing its products to more than 100,000 customer locations in more than 100 countries; Eyefinity(R)/Officemate(R) which offer innovative solutions and the premier management software and technology to improve overall practice management and the patient experience.
Since 1997, VSP has provided more than 510,000 low-income, uninsured children with free eyecare. Through relationships with the American Diabetes Association, Prevent Blindness America and the Center for Health Transformation, VSP promotes the importance of annual eye exams for maintaining eye health and overall wellness.
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 AOA
Source: PR Newswire
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