JACKSON, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff visited Northview Elementary School in Jackson on Monday as part of the OhioSEE program, which provides in-school eye exams and eyeglasses to students in need.
Guernsey County is participating in the pilot children’s vision program. Other participating counties included in the pilot project are Allen, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Guernsey, Huron, Jackson, Lorain, Mahoning, Marion, Montgomery, and Ross. So far, 227 schools are participating across 15 pilot counties in the program.
Learn more about the OhioSEE Program on their website: Ohio Student Eye Exam (OhioSEE) Website.
During the visit to Jackson, 23 students in kindergarten through third grade received fitted eyeglasses at no cost to their families through Vision to Learn, an OhioSEE vendor.
“OhioSEE is working, and today is a great example of that,” DeWine said. “This school district flagged dozens of students who needed follow-up eye care after the school nurse provided an initial vision screening, but only three students ended up getting a follow-up comprehensive exam. This is exactly what OhioSEE is addressing. Now, every student, kindergarten through third grade, who is identified as needing follow-up care in this school will receive it.”
OhioSEE is designed to remove barriers that prevent families from accessing vision care by bringing comprehensive eye exams—and, if needed, glasses—directly into schools. Districts in the pilot program can choose between two service models: a mobile vision van that travels to schools on a set schedule, or a “roll-on, roll-off” model that sets up exam stations inside school buildings such as classrooms or libraries.
“Clear vision removes a major barrier to learning, allowing students to fully engage with reading, classroom activities, and their friends,” Vanderhoff said. “As more districts enroll in this program, we’re seeing firsthand how much of a difference OhioSEE can make for children across Ohio.”
School districts can request more information about joining OhioSEE by completing this form on ODH’s OhioSEE website. After submitting a request, schools will receive a school program packet containing the official enrollment link.
