Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has unveiled a new initiative aimed at addressing students’ eye care needs, proposing the OhioSEE program as part of his 2026-27 state budget plan. The initiative seeks to enhance vision care accessibility and ensure that students, particularly those in early education, receive the support they need to succeed academically.
“Many children in Ohio undergo a vision screening that only checks for distance acuity,” said Cari VanPelt, optician and office manager for the Cincinnati Health Department’s vision centers. “However, for many of these students, a basic screening is simply not enough.”
VanPelt, who works at the Scheff Wellness Center—home to the nation’s first school-based vision center—explains that while the state mandates vision screenings for students, more comprehensive exams are necessary for some children. In addition to providing thorough eye exams, her team offers students glasses and arranges transportation for those in Cincinnati Public Schools and charter schools to access the center’s services.
The Scheff Wellness Center was also involved in Governor DeWine’s Children’s Vision Strike Task Force, launched in 2024. This task force has been pivotal in raising awareness about eye care, increasing access to glasses, and highlighting the critical role of vision health in academic performance.
VanPelt emphasized the importance of OhioSEE, noting that it will bring greater attention to the fact that vision health is just as vital as dental or general medical care. “Governor DeWine is taking significant steps to ensure that vision is prioritized in schools,” she said.
The governor echoed these sentiments, citing concerns about the number of Ohio children who need glasses but never receive them. Poor vision, he said, has contributed to academic struggles for many students. The OhioSEE program is designed to provide eye exams and glasses to approximately 33,000 children, focusing on young learners in grades K-3.
“Vision is foundational to learning,” DeWine stated. “We want to ensure that students, especially those at a critical stage of development, have every opportunity to succeed—beginning with the ability to see clearly in the classroom.”
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