Dateline:
COSTA MESA, Calif.

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CareCredit’s Caring Communities Program is making a difference in the vision health of children with a $25,000 grant to Optometry Cares^® - The American Optometric Association (AOA) Foundation’s InfantSEE^® program.

CareCredit, a leading health wellness and beauty credit card, created the Caring Communities Program to help more people access care and support charitable organizations in making a greater impact on the communities they serve. According to Optometry Cares^® - The AOA Foundation, vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in the United States, and the most prevalent handicapping condition during childhood. A trained optometrist can examine infant eye development as early as six-to-12 months of age. These early screenings help identify developing eye conditions and diseases, allowing for treatment and possible prevention of life-long vision complications.

More than 7,000 InfantSEE^® optometrists examine an estimated 10,000 infants annually for normal eye development and to intervene early if necessary. To date, more than 110,000 babies have been seen, and 10 percent have been identified for greater concerns and follow-up.

“We thank CareCredit for their generous support of our efforts to provide eye care awareness and education for communities that need it most,” said Dennis A. Holter, chief advancement officer, Optometry Cares^® - The AOA Foundation.

CareCredit’s $25,000 grant will be used to expand awareness of the InfantSEE^® program among new parents through print advertising, brochures, signage and displays, and online efforts. CareCredit has been a proud supporter of the InfantSEE^® program for three years.

About CareCredit:

For nearly 30 years, CareCredit has helped millions of patients receive needed and desired care. CareCredit is a health, wellness and beauty credit card that can be used as a financing option for certain expenses not covered by insurance or to bridge payment when desired care exceeds insurance coverage. CareCredit is accepted at more than 180,000 healthcare practices nationwide. For more information about CareCredit, visit www.carecredit.com.

About InfantSEE^® by Optometry Cares^® - the AOA Foundation

InfantSEE^®, a public health program, managed by Optometry Cares^® - the AOA Foundation, is designed to ensure that eye and vision care become an essential part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. The program launched in 2005 with participating optometrists, providing comprehensive infant eye assessments between six and 12 months of age as a no-cost public service. Learn more and locate a doctor in your area at InfantSEE.org.

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