Ohio Launches New Program to Improve Children’s Vision and Learning Outcomes
A new initiative in Ohio's two-year operating budget aims to address a critical issue affecting thousands of students across the state: uncorrected vision problems. The Ohio Student Eye Exam (OhioSee) program, which allocates $10 million, will provide comprehensive eye exams and glasses for students in kindergarten through third grade directly at schools.
The program is designed to ensure that children receive timely vision care, which is essential during their formative years. Dr. Elizabeth Muckley, executive director and CEO of the Ohio Optometric Association, emphasized the importance of early intervention. “We want to catch kids early so they aren’t going for a long time without the ability to see clearly,” she said. This initiative builds on the efforts of the Children’s Vision Strike Force, which was established by Governor Mike DeWine in 2024.
According to estimates, at least 35,000 Ohio students who needed glasses did not receive them during the 2022-23 school year. DeWine highlighted that the program will focus on areas with the highest need to make the most immediate impact. “Improving children's vision will improve their success at school, which is a win for students, families, and schools,” he stated.
The Importance of Early Vision Care
It is estimated that 1 in 4 school-aged children have vision problems that could affect their learning. The American Optometric Association reports that these issues often go undiagnosed or untreated, leading to missed opportunities for academic success. Many students who fail a school vision screening never receive follow-up care due to barriers such as lack of transportation, limited access to providers, or being underinsured.
Vinton County is the only Ohio county with no optometrists, making it particularly challenging for residents to access eye care. Dr. Shane Foster, an optometrist with practices in Athens, Logan, and Columbus, noted that some people in Vinton County may need to drive an hour to reach his office. This highlights the critical need for programs like OhioSee, which aim to bring eye care services directly to students.
The iSee Program: A Proven Model
For over 15 years, the Ohio Optometric Foundation’s iSee program has been providing no-cost comprehensive eye exams for children in schools. The program brings doctors from the region into local schools to examine students who may have failed a school vision screening or are on an individualized education program (IEP).
“Many of these students are struggling in school because they can’t see the board or read well,” Foster explained. “You find out they just needed a pair of glasses, which is a relatively inexpensive solution to a problem that could be misdiagnosed as a learning disability.”
The iSee program provides free glasses for students who need them, with approximately 85% of students receiving glasses after an exam. Over the years, the program has conducted about 6,000 exams and prescribed nearly 2,800 pairs of glasses. In the 2024-25 school year, iSee clinics visited numerous counties, including Butler, Clark, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Knox, Licking, Lorain, Madison, Marion, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Morrow, Pickaway, Preble, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, and Washington counties.
Expanding the Scope of Practice for Optometrists
In addition to improving access to eye care, Ohio is also working to modernize the scope of practice for optometrists. Senate Bill 36, introduced by Republican Senators Jerry Cirino and George Lang, aims to update the regulations governing optometrists for the first time in 17 years.
The bill would allow optometrists to prescribe a broader range of drugs and perform certain non-invasive laser procedures, such as removing benign lesions like cysts, styes, and skin tags. However, optometrists would still not be permitted to perform LASIK or cataract surgery or conduct procedures in an operating room.
“This legislation addresses the need for more modern practices that reduce unnecessary delays in vision care,” Cirino said. Currently, 12 states, including Kentucky and Indiana, allow optometrists to use lasers, while 22 states permit them to perform eyelid lesion procedures similar to those included in S.B. 36.
Dr. Muckley emphasized the importance of keeping young optometrists in Ohio. “We don’t want young optometrists and graduates leaving our state to go to places with more modern scope of practice,” she said.