Area students' vision promoted

SANDUSKY — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health will support student eye health in Erie and Huron counties with a new program. In collaboration with Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the state's health department, DeWine created OhioSEE, a new program serving kindergarten through third-grade students in 15 counties across the state that need comprehensive vision care, a news release states. Last year, DeWine started the Children's Vision Strike Force, whose mission was to come up with a solution to the gap in students' vision care. From the group's research, 26% of students in need of additional vision care are getting the support they need. The group's recommendations are being pushed through the OhioSEE program, according to the release. The program will be delivered through the Ohio Department of Health. Students in kindergarten through third grade in the 15 counties determined to be high priority will receive the support they need. The areas defined as high priority are those with more than 80% of students who fail school vision screenings and do not receive follow-up care, the release states. Other than Erie and Huron counties, the other counties deemed as 'high-priority" are Allen, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Guernsey, Jackson, Mahoning, Marion, Montgomery, Lorain and Ross. The program will provide funding for mobile vision vans and temporary in-school vision clinics for schools and students in need. This will help eliminate factors such as transportation, cost and limited provider availability that prevent students from getting help. The state health department estimated that up to 14,000 students a year will be served through this program once it is fully implemented. It is expected to roll out in early 2026. The sense of sight is responsible for 80% of students' learning, according to the release. Students who got glasses significantly improved their reading scores compared to those who received glasses later. The program's funding is in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly through the 2026-27 state operating budget.