Treasurer Sprague Receives 2023 Friend of Optometry Award from the Ohio Optometric Association

COLUMBUS – During the Ohio Optometric Association HONORS event last night, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague accepted the 2023 Friend of Optometry Award. Treasurer Sprague earned the award for his “innovative thinking and staunch support of children’s vision care” through the inaugural ResultsOHIO project, which was completed earlier this year. 

“We couldn’t have asked for better partners in conducting this first project under ResultsOHIO’s pay for success model,” said Treasurer Sprague. “Together with the teams at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, Vision To Learn, and the Ohio Optometric Foundation, this collaborative effort resulted in thousands of young Ohioans gaining access to critical eye care that will benefit them in the years ahead. I’m grateful to receive this honor, but I’m even more grateful to have played a part in highlighting a very effective service delivery model that can improve health outcomes and access to care in underserved communities.” 

As part of the FY 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. 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. 

In total, nearly 4,000 Ohio students received comprehensive eye exams throughout the two-year effort, and more than 3,400 were prescribed and received eyeglasses. The project’s conclusion marked the first-ever completion of a state-supported pay for success project in Ohio.