FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information:
Dori Jennings
Prevent Blindness Ohio
614.270.0746
[email protected]
Prevent Blindness Ohio Supports OhioSEE
Columbus, OH (February 5, 2025) – Prevent Blindness Ohio (PBO) supports the OhioSEE program proposed within the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026-2027 executive budget proposal and thanks Governor DeWine for establishing this program that will serve thousands of children in Ohio.
80% of what a child learns is through their gift of sight, yet 6% of children enter kindergarten each year with an undetected and untreated vision problem, and one out of every four school-aged children has a vision problem that may be undetected or untreated. These vision problems hinder their opportunity to enter school “ready to learn.” Children cannot do their best if poor vision is a roadblock to learning and socialization. Educational success is critical in setting the foundation for a strong workforce in the future.
The OhioSEE program Governor DeWine has proposed will help ensure that all students in kindergarten through third grade who do not pass a vision screening receive a comprehensive eye exam and if needed, eyeglasses.
PBO shares the goals of the OhioSEE program. Through our Vision Care Outreach Program, we provide access to free eye exams and eyeglasses to 1,000 uninsured/underinsured children each year and nearly 300,000 children each year receive a vision screening from a PBO certified vision screener.
The above reality is what drives PBO’s important sight saving work. We are Ohio’s leading volunteer nonprofit public health organization dedicated to our mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight. We serve all 88 Ohio counties, providing direct services to 1,000,000 Ohioans annually and educating millions about what they can do to protect and preserve their precious gift of sight. The programming emphasis of PBO includes eye health education, advocacy, and early disease identification for Ohioans at high-risk of losing their sight, including preschool and school age children.
Governor DeWine has been committed to improving the lives of children throughout his time as governor and creating the OhioSEE program will have a positive impact on ensuring the vision care needs of children are met and that all children in Ohio will be able to see clearly. “PBO stands ready to assist the Governor in securing passage of funding for this program through the SFY 2026-2027 state operating budget,” says Amy Pulles, President and CEO of PBO.
About Prevent Blindness Ohio
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness serves all 88 Ohio counties, providing direct services to 1,000,000 Ohioans annually and educating millions of consumers about what they can do to protect and preserve their precious gift of sight. For more information or to contribute, call 800-301-2020 or donate here. Visit us at pbohio.org. Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/pbohio/ and X: twitter.com/PB_Ohio
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