Improve eye care access

Many Kenyans requiring eye care lack access to medical attention and specialists across the counties. Unless attended to, this often leads to blindness, hampering the productivity of those affected.

About 80 per cent of visual impairment and blindness is curable or preventable with early intervention. The country is facing a severe eye-care deficit, with experts indicating that 7.5 million people are in need of special services but only 1.6 million can access them. 

Over half of all the ophthalmologists operate in Nairobi, leaving roughly one specialist for every 450,000 people in the rural areas. 

Rural folks are forced to travel to the major towns to see an optician. The average cost per visit is about Sh14,000, which, together with travel expenses and the high cost of spectacles, makes this unaffordable for many people.

It is a pity that some are rendered blind because of lack of expert attention in public hospitals and health centres to enable the problems to be identified earlier and remedial measures taken. 

The delays can be quite dangerous, as reversing an already entrenched condition presents a tougher challenge.

Centres for optical care

The government, through the Ministry of Health, should invest more in establishing centres for optical care manned by experts across the country. Some of the patients need simple surgery to remove cataracts and restore their eyesight.

Experts say the problem has been compounded by changing lifestyles, especially the increased screen exposure, especially among the young people. Regular eye tests are important, but this is difficult for many people. 

Quite disturbing is the common tendency to delay seeking attention due to the myriad of challenges, including lack of money. By the time they turn up to seek expert medical help, their conditions will have worsened. Diseases diagnosed earlier are easier to manage.

Restored eyesight helps to improve the patient’s productivity and quality of life.