Help Your Baby See The World Clearly With InfantSEE

Help Your Baby See The World Clearly With InfantSEE

Great vision means healthy development for your little one

(217) 864-3221

InfantSEE: Giving your baby the healthy start they deserve

Concerned your childā€™s vision might be hindering their development?

Do your babyā€™s eyes not seem to be lining up correctly?

InfantSEE is a public health program, whose goal is to make infant eye care affordable for everyone, regardless of income or access to insurance.

Member optometrists of the American Optometric Association (AOA) that participate in the InfantSEE program commit to providing a no-cost comprehensive eye and vision assessment to all infants 6-12 months old.

Visit our International Eyecare Center - Mount Zion Township in Mount Zion Township today to see how we can help your baby thrive!

Infantsee eye exam at International Eyecare Center - Mount Zion Township


4 Ways to Help Your Babyā€™s Visual Development

  • Schedule babyā€™s first eye exam

    Our InfantSEE eye care professionals recommend that your babyā€™s first exam be scheduled around the time they are 6 months old.

  • Stimulate vision through play

    Interact with your baby by playing visually interesting and stimulating games with colorful toys and moving objects.

  • Encourage exploration

    Help your child explore their world. Encourage crawling, playing in a sandbox, reaching for and holding different toys and objects in their surroundings.

  • Watch for missed milestones

    If your childā€™s development seems to be unusually slow, speak to your eye doctor to see whether their vision may be part of the issue. Timely treatment may prevent future complications.

Our eye care professionals in Mount Zion Township know exactly what to look for to ensure that your childā€™s vision is at its best. We at International Eyecare Center - Mount Zion Township are dedicated to helping them experience all the beautiful sights the world has to offer.


Blue eyes baby with a toy

  • First, a few questions…
    Your baby’s first eye exam will start with the eye doctor asking you a few questions to learn about your baby’s personal and family health history. Was the baby born prematurely? Is there a history in the family of eye conditions such as astigmatism, myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness)? This information will help your optometrist know what things to look out for during the exam. 
  • Checking your baby’s vision
    Your baby’s eye doctor may choose to dilate their pupils to get a better look at the back of their eyes for signs of eye disease. They will also check for refractive errors and early signs of infection or malformation in the eye, evaluate your baby’s eyes for coordination, and rule-out conditions such as strabismus (crossed-eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye).
  • Vision Correction and Treatment
    If your little one is found to have a refractive error such as myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, special eyeglasses for infants will be prescribed. Your eye doctor will likely ask you to bring your baby in for further evaluation if they find indications of certain eye diseases or conditions that require treatment.

InfantSEE® FAQs

What is InfantSEE?

InfantSEE is a public health program, managed by Optometry Cares - The AOA Foundation. Its purpose is to make sure that family income and access to insurance coverage do not become obstacles to making eye and vision care an essential part of infant wellness. To that end, AOA member optometrists who are part of the InfantSEE program provide a no-cost comprehensive eye and vision assessment to all infants 6-12 months old.

When should a baby have an eye test?

Within 6-12 months of age. A childā€™s visual development is most rapid and pronounced within the first year of life and is the period when the foundations of vision and visual skills are laid. If these foundations are undermined by vision conditions, eye diseases or refractive errors, it can have far-reaching consequences for the rest of your childā€™s life. Thanks to the InfantSEE program, pediatric eye doctors can detect and treat these conditions, to ensure that your childā€™s vision starts off right.

What‘s the difference between vision screening and a comprehensive eye exam?

The aim of these screenings is to assess visual acuity (whether you have 20/20 vision), and are not meant to detect eye disease and other visual issues that would be found as part of a comprehensive eye exam with your local pediatric eye doctor. As a result, eye diseases such as cataracts or conditions such as amblyopia or strabismus are likely to go undetected, causing more severe damage the longer they go without treatment.

Patient Reviews
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221 Reviews
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- Jun. 23, 2024
The staff has always been friendly and efficient at getting into the exam and out the door in a time... ly manner. Also helpful with whatever is needed.
- Jun. 17, 2024
The IEC team is great. Fast service and great listening and asking questions to find out exactly wh... at you need.
- Jan. 17, 2024
Very friendly and thorough doctor, Dr Ryan Thoele. Also his staff is great!
- Oct. 21, 2023
Good, comfortable experience.
- Oct. 06, 2023
This is the best place I have ever went to for glasses! Dr Ryan was very straight forward and kind. ... Even with Medicare I still got more choices of frames than anywhere I have ever been. Around 100 I believe and Brooke was very helpful and kind when I was waiting for my husband and trying on frames. I went the 19th and got a text that they were ready the 23rd! So fast! I'm very impressed!
- Sep. 27, 2023
Quick, friendly and conveniently located!
- Aug. 13, 2023
Great service, friendly staff
- Jul. 24, 2023
Everyone is kind and amazing! Love the staff and care received there!
- Jul. 21, 2023
Very thorough eye exam and wonderful doctor and staff.
- Jul. 10, 2023
Wonderful service and staff
- Jun. 21, 2023
The staff were friendly and the doctor listened to my questions and concerns.
- May. 09, 2023
Was having an issue with my eye & the team was able to get me in same day to check it out. They have... great staff & Dr. is very kind & informative!!
- May. 04, 2023
I must say that of all the places Ive visited to recieve eye care and glasses, this place is above b... ar for quality service. From the reception desk, to the Dr, to the eye tech helping pick out frames all around the best service. Highly recomend!
- Apr. 20, 2023
The personnel was awesome!! The glasses can be very expensive!! One pair of glasses can cost you ove... r $600 unless you get a stripped down pair without the options. They do have some awesome glass frames.
- Mar. 31, 2023
Dr Thoele is the best! Great listener, has tons of patience, communicates in easily understandable w... ords, answers every question and is a very pleasant Christian man. The staff is welcoming, kind, knowledgeable and caring. I've never felt rushed. Thanks IEC Mt Zion!
- Jan. 21, 2023
Timely, professional, fun!
- Nov. 22, 2022
Great people!
- Oct. 21, 2022
Always nice and helpful..will continue to go back.
- Sep. 12, 2022
Very thorough exams and friendly staff. Dr Thoele is genial and kind with a sense of humor.
- Aug. 16, 2022
friendly,quick service, professionism,

View All 221 Reviews

Your InfantSEE® Treatment Specialist in Mount Zion Township

Our optometry practice in Mount Zion Township

Photograph of Ryan  Thoele
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • VSP
  • Anthem
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

baby wearing a grey hat yawning

So, what are you waiting for?

See how InfantSEE can help your baby develop and thrive!

(217) 864-3221