LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 8th Anniversary of InfantSEE,
the nationally recognized public health program developed by the Ameri-
can Optometric Association that provides a one-time, no-cost eye assess-
ment for infants who are six to twelve months of age

WHEREAS, The sense of sight is one of our most precious gifts, and the
most critical stages of vision development occur in the first year of a
child's life; and
WHEREAS, Undetected eye and vision problems can lead to permanent
vision impairment or loss of life; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention,
one in eight children is at risk from undiagnosed eye and vision prob-
lems; and
WHEREAS, Amblyopia (i.e., "lazy eye"), for instance, is the most
common cause of vision impairment in children, is a leading cause of
vision loss in people younger than 45 years of age, and affects approxi-
mately 489,000 New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, One in 25 children will develop strabismus (i.e., "crossed-
eyes"), a risk factor for amblyopia; and
WHEREAS, Undetected vision problems can contribute to a decrease in a
child's quality of life and may lead to developmental and behavioral
difficulties which impede classroom learning; and
WHEREAS, Early detection of vision problems is the best way to treat
and prevent permanent vision impairment; and
WHEREAS, Since the inception of InfantSEE in 2005, hundreds of doctors
of optometry in New York State have volunteered their time and expertise
to participate in the program with the objectives of: identifying and
treating risk factors that may have an adverse effect on eye and vision
health; reducing the impact of eye and vision conditions that may lead
to impairments or loss of sight that may also affect a child's social,
emotional, and cognitive development; and educating parents regarding
the importance of eye care for their children; and
WHEREAS, On April 26, 2013, the State University of New York College
of Optometry will be conducting a community-wide InfantSEE program at
the college; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 8th Anniversary of InfantSEE, and to commend the Infant-
SEE program and the efforts of doctors of optometry of New York State
for dedicating their expertise and services to the children of our
State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the State University of New York College of Optometry.