Thousands of students in the Appalachian region, which includes Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, have had eye exams and access to vision care through a state partnership program.

Nearly 4,000 Ohio students received comprehensive eye exams throughout the two-year iSee project through ResultsOHIO, and more than 3,400 were prescribed and received eyeglasses. The project’s conclusion marks the first-ever completion of a state-supported pay for success project in Ohio.

In partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, Vision To Learn, and the Ohio Optometric Foundation, the iSee project used mobile vision clinics to provide in-school vision care to students in high-need areas across Appalachian counties in Ohio. The free services included vision screenings, comprehensive eye exams, and new prescription glasses.

As part of the state’s 2022-23 biennial budget, the General Assembly appropriated $1.2 million for the iSee project to be conducted under the ResultsOHIO pay for success model. The Ohio Treasurer’s Office worked with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and its partners to develop and structure the contract, set performance metrics, and launch the project, which spanned the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years.