For years, eye care has been overlooked in healthcare despite its impact on a significant portion of the global population. A recent study has revealed a staggering number of school going children suffering from various eye problems that affect their academic performance.
According to a study by the Kenya Association of Opticians (KAO), 18 percent of children and 2 percent of teachers suffer from eye problems.
Refractive errors are the leading cause of these issues, with myopia (short-sightedness) accounting for 67 percent, presbyopia at 29 percent, and astigmatism and hyperopia (long-sightedness) at 2 percent.
Among the students screened, 87 percent of male students were found to have normal vision compared to 79 percent of female students.
These vision issues lead to declining academic performance and pose long term economic challenges, as affected children often do not receive the quality education necessary to be economically competitive. However, stakeholders affirm that most eye problems can be managed if diagnosed early.
Dr. Njani Ndiritu, Chairman of KAO, emphasized that good vision is a fundamental requirement for life, yet many children remain undiagnosed or untreated. He added that vision impairment is a growing challenge that can no longer be ignored.
“Vision impairment is a growing challenge, yet many of its causes are preventable or treatable. It’s not just a Kenyan issue but a global one. The World Health Organization estimates that at least 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from vision impairment, with half of the cases being preventable,” said Dr. Njani.
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While many eye conditions are preventable, several challenges persist, including lack of awareness, accessibility, and affordability of care especially among parents in underserved communities. Dr. Njani called for policy interventions to address the issue.
“We need policy interventions to ensure we increase the number of practitioners in underserved rural areas. The biggest challenge is accessibility. In rural areas, even knowledge of eye problems is lacking. Children are often assumed to have learning difficulties, when in reality, they may be struggling due to poor vision,” he said.
Bradley Heslop, CEO of Dot Glasses, highlighted preventive measures, such as reducing screen time and encouraging outdoor activities especially for urban populations who spend most of their time indoors.
“There are many ways to care for our eyes. Myopia is increasing rapidly worldwide. The best way to control it is to reduce screen time and spend more time outdoors, looking at distant objects. Indoor screen time should be limited,” Bradley advised.
He also noted that while some eye conditions cannot be reversed, early intervention can help prevent total blindness.
“The sooner you seek treatment, the better. Conditions like glaucoma are not reversible but can be managed to prevent progression. Many people in Kenya and across the world go blind due to lack of access to eye care. If not detected early, some eye problems can progress quickly,” he added.
Dr. Timothy Theuri, CEO of the Kenya Healthcare Federation, urged the government to exempt eye care equipment from tariffs to make treatment more affordable.
“The current tariff regime should be reviewed to include adequate provisions for eye care. Devices used for prescription and treatment should receive favorable taxation so that eye care becomes affordable for all,” he said.
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Stakeholders also called for proactive measures to combat vision loss. Lucy Ayoyi, Quality Assurance and Standards Officer at the Ministry of Education, encouraged collaboration between parents and teachers to monitor children’s eye health.
“Most children with vision problems may not recognize or communicate what they’re going through. Some perform poorly in class simply because they can’t read properly. We urge parents to seek professional medical advice rather than relying on over the counter medication,” Ayoyi said.
She emphasized the importance of early detection, noting that timely medical intervention can prevent further complications and ensure children perform better in school.
