OhioSEE Program Provides Free Glasses to Students Across 230 School Districts
Governor Mike DeWine watched as nearly a dozen elementary students put on glasses for the first time through Ohio’s free vision program serving 230 school districts.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Nearly a dozen elementary students put on their new glasses for the first time as Governor Mike DeWine counted down from ten at a Dublin City Schools elementary school, marking another milestone for Ohio’s comprehensive vision program serving students across the state.
The OhioSEE program has provided free eye exams and glasses to students in kindergarten through third grade across approximately 230 school districts in 15 counties. Since its implementation, the program has administered nearly 1,900 eye exams and provided glasses to nearly 1,200 students, according to the Ohio Health Department.
Addressing Vision Needs
“This is a program that is very, very cost-effective,” DeWine said during the recent Dublin elementary school event. “It’s a program that makes phenomenal differences in children’s lives. We have tens of thousands of kids out there who are needing an eye exam, who are not getting an eye exam.”
The program addresses a significant gap in children’s healthcare. While Ohio law requires schools to conduct vision screenings to identify students who need eye exams, many students who fail these screenings never receive follow-up care.
Breaking Down Barriers to Eye Care
Several obstacles prevent students from receiving necessary vision care after failing school screenings. These barriers include lack of transportation to appointments, shortage of eye care providers in certain areas, and families being underinsured for vision services.
At least 35,000 Ohio students who needed glasses did not receive them during previous screening cycles, highlighting the scope of unmet vision care needs across the state.
Program Impact and Implementation
The OhioSEE initiative brings comprehensive eye exams directly to school buildings, eliminating transportation barriers and providing glasses at no cost to families. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz attended the Dublin elementary school event alongside Governor DeWine.
The program specifically targets younger students in kindergarten through third grade, a period when undetected vision problems can significantly impact academic performance and development. By providing on-site services, the program ensures that students identified through school vision screenings receive immediate follow-up care.
Students who received glasses through the program at the Dublin elementary school demonstrated visible excitement and joy as they experienced clear vision for the first time. The ceremonial countdown and simultaneous glasses placement highlighted the transformative impact of the program on young students’ lives.
The statewide expansion to 230 school districts represents a significant investment in preventive healthcare for Ohio’s youngest students, addressing vision problems before they can interfere with educational achievement and overall development.
