A Unique Partnership in Ohio

Dr. Shane Foster is the incoming president of the Ohio Optometric Association Board of Trustees, and as part of his first steps in this role, he has been touring the state and visiting with local affiliates. During these visits, Dr. Foster meets with the members of the association to discuss the board’s vision for the coming year. 

During these discussions, Dr. Foster has been describing the exciting new partnership between the Ohio Optometric Association, the Ohio Optometric Foundation, the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and Vision To Learn. The first speaking event was in Columbus, Ohio. After Dr. Shane explained the mission, of providing free eye exams and glasses to the estimated 35,000 children who need them, he reported that the program had received 1.2 million dollars from the Ohio legislature to support the effort. The room, filled with optometrists, erupted into applause. “The crowd’s response is a testament to how excited our members are to see this program, how much they want this to work, and of course how eager they are to provide eye care to as many kids as we can,” says Dr. Shane. 

The reality is that far too many adults have been that very student that this partnership will help– that student that didn’t get the opportunity of care that they needed. At an event in Cincinnati, a member doctor approached Dr. Shane after his presentation and said “I am a refractive amblyope and it was missed in all my screenings in school. I am one of those kids that fell through the cracks. I am all for a program that helps those kids.”