STRUTHERS, Ohio — The recently approved Ohio state budget includes funding for OhioSEE, a statewide vision care initiative modeled after Sight for All United’s program in the Mahoning Valley.
The program aims to provide eye exams and glasses to an estimated 33,000 students in kindergarten through third grade across the state. According to research cited by the organization, uncorrected vision problems can hinder the development of reading skills in young students. Financial limitations often prevent families from accessing proper vision care, an issue the OhioSEE program seeks to address.
Sight for All United, a nonprofit based in Struthers, has partnered with Vision to Learn since 2016 to provide free vision screenings, exams, and glasses to underserved students in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties. The organization reports improved academic performance and classroom engagement among students who received care.
By working with local optometrists and ophthalmologists, the nonprofit also connects students and their families to ongoing medical care.
“For nearly a decade, we’ve seen firsthand how a simple pair of glasses can transform a child’s ability to learn and succeed. When children can’t see clearly, they can’t read effectively, and that impacts their entire educational trajectory,” said Dr. Sergul Erzurum, board president of Sight for All United.
Sight for All United is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on removing barriers to vision care.