InfantSEE®, a program that provides no-cost, comprehensive eye and vision health assessments for infants, concludes the year with 174,000 assessments since the initiative’s inception in 2005. Celebrating the program’s 20th anniversary, The American Optometric Association (AOA) Foundation reconnected with online sensation “Baby Piper,” underscoring InfantSEE’s indispensable role in protecting children’s vision and shaping a lifetime of healthy sight.
Read the story about “Baby Piper.”
Managed by The AOA Foundation and bac”ked from the beginning, by AOA visionary supporter Johnson & Johnson, InfantSEE is a public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child’s quality of life. Currently, there are more than 4,000 InfantSEE providers, with more than 10% being recent graduates.
2025 IN REVIEW
The AOA and the AOA Foundation share a commitment to closing the gap in children’s eye health and vision care. InfantSEE assessments have helped prevent conditions that could impact children’s quality of life for years to come. Ranging from amblyopia and strabismus to sight-threatening retinoblastomas, InfantSEE has helped over 15,000 children start their journey to improved quality of life after receiving a diagnosis from a participating InfantSEE optometrist.
With Johnson & Johnson’s support, InfantSEE student education workshops deliver hands-on experience with seasoned doctors of optometry and infants throughout the year.
“InfantSEE workshops give students a powerful opportunity to turn their knowledge into meaningful patient care. Working with infants helps them understand the impact early eye exams can have on a child’s development and on a family’s peace of mind,” said Ida Chung, OD, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Western University and InfantSEE & Children’s Vision Committee Member. “As InfantSEE marks its 20th anniversary, it’s inspiring to see how this program has shaped generations of future optometrists who are committed to expanding access to children’s vision care.”
ENCOURAGING OD STUDENTS
In-person options at Optometry’s Meeting, Western Regional Conference at UC Berkeley, and Midwestern Regional Conference at Indiana University deliver real-world experience. And virtual workshops through EyeLearn provide access to students across the country. In 2025, over 450 students attended an InfantSEE Workshop.
“InfantSEE has taught me that optometrists are not just eye doctors. They are frontline public health providers. This program has demonstrated the importance of early, comprehensive visual assessments. Millions of infants have been served, and various conditions have been detected early. By participating in this workshop, I have strengthened my confidence and clinical skills. I’m very excited to continue advocating for this program and ensuring every child has access to quality eye care.”
– Veronica Tkaczyk, Indiana University American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) Trustee
“Learning to perform infant eye exams through InfantSEE® has strengthened the clinical skills of myself and my classmates. These workshops remind me that optometry isn’t just about vision—it’s about giving every child the best start possible.”
– Ashley Robinson, University of California Berkeley AOSA Trustee
PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT
Participating InfantSEE optometrists provide no-cost eye and vision assessments regardless of income or insurance coverage. The AOA Foundation thanks all participating doctors for their dedication to the program and the life-changing care they provide every day.
Learn more about becoming an InfantSEE provider.
