DeWine Launches 'OhioSEE' Program for K-3 Vision Exams and Glasses

New initiative aims to address vision issues that can hinder early reading development

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the launch of the 'OhioSEE' program, which will provide free vision exams and glasses to students in kindergarten through 3rd grade who have failed vision screenings. The program, currently available in 15 counties, will send mobile vision vans to schools to conduct the exams and distribute glasses to students in need.

Why it matters

Many children miss the state-required eye exams, which can lead to vision problems that impair their ability to read and learn. The OhioSEE program aims to break down barriers and ensure all young students have access to the vision care they need to succeed in the classroom.

The details

The OhioSEE program will send mobile vision vans to schools to provide comprehensive eye exams, including tests for color vision, 3D vision, eye pressure, and screening for conditions like glaucoma. Students who fail the initial exam will then receive a pair of glasses from the van on a return visit.

  • Governor DeWine announced the OhioSEE program on February 9, 2026.
  • The program is currently available in 15 counties, including Montgomery and Clark counties.

The players

Mike DeWine

The Governor of Ohio who announced the launch of the OhioSEE program.

Dr. Chris De Guzman

The director of optometry with Health Partners of Western Ohio, who provided an inside look at the comprehensive eye exams offered through the program.

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What they’re saying

“Reading is so very very important. it's hard to read if you can't see very well.”

— Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio (Dayton 24/7 Now)

“We know that there are a lot of kids out there who aren't getting their eye exams, who should be getting it, who need it. This is going to allow them to see the blackboard or the smart board as we refer to it today.”

— Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio (Dayton 24/7 Now)

“Ages five, six, seven, that's the critical period to catch eye diseases, especially lazy eye because if we don't catch a lazy eye, the brain will use a better eye and ignore the worse eye and then if we don't get that eye working, it's gonna be weaker than the other eye for the rest of their lives.”

— Dr. Chris De Guzman, Director of Optometry, Health Partners of Western Ohio (Dayton 24/7 Now)

What’s next

DeWine said he has high hopes the OhioSEE program will expand to all parts of Ohio in the future.

The takeaway

The OhioSEE program is a proactive step to ensure young students in Ohio have access to the vision care they need to succeed in school, addressing a critical gap in the state's existing vision screening requirements.