By Wasike Elvis

Siloam Eye Hospital Founder and Medical Director Amos Kiptoo Koech has called on Kenyans to prioritise regular eye examinations, warning that failure to identify and treat eye conditions early could expose thousands of people to preventable blindness and permanent vision loss.

Koech said early diagnosis and access to specialised eye treatment were critical in addressing the growing burden of visual impairment, particularly among children, elderly people and individuals living with untreated eye complications.

Speaking during a two-day World Sight Day medical outreach organised by Siloam Eye Hospital, the medical director said the facility was focusing on identifying common eye conditions, providing medical attention and helping patients who have struggled with vision problems without accessing professional treatment.

The outreach, which began with approximately 300 patients receiving medical attention on the first day, brought together members of the community seeking eye examinations, consultations and treatment.

Koech, who is also a resident eye specialist and cataract surgeon at the hospital, said the exercise was part of the institution's commitment to reducing preventable blindness and improving access to quality eye healthcare.

"Today is a very special day at Siloam as part of World Sight Day. We are privileged to offer this outreach to the community, focusing mainly on reducing blindness, identifying the causes of blindness and reduced vision, and addressing common eye conditions," said Koech.

He appealed to members of the public experiencing eyesight challenges to turn up for screening, noting that many people continue staying at home despite having conditions that can be treated through appropriate medical intervention.

The specialist said the hospital expected more patients to attend on the second day of the exercise, urging those with deteriorating vision, eye discomfort and other complications not to ignore the symptoms.

Refractive errors, allergies and cataracts among common conditions

During the outreach, the medical team identified several eye conditions, including refractive errors, eye allergies and cataracts, which Koech said were among the common problems affecting patients seeking eye services.

He explained that refractive errors include short-sightedness, long-sightedness and difficulties reading small letters, conditions that can interfere with people's ability to undertake daily activities, particularly learning among school-going children.

According to Koech, children experiencing difficulties seeing clearly in classrooms require timely eye examinations to establish whether they have refractive errors that can be corrected through appropriate treatment.

He also highlighted eye allergies as a frequently reported condition affecting people across different age groups, including children, adults and elderly people.

The medical director said exposure to environmental irritants and chemicals associated with industrial activities could contribute to eye irritation and allergic reactions.

He observed that industrialisation and increased exposure to different environmental substances had made eye health awareness and regular medical assessments increasingly important.

Cataracts among elderly patients

Koech further identified cataracts as a major cause of vision impairment, particularly among elderly people, explaining that the condition is commonly associated with ageing.

He said the hospital had encountered several patients during the outreach whose cataracts required surgical intervention.

The specialist noted that cataract surgery had continued to transform the lives of patients, especially elderly people who had experienced difficulties carrying out routine activities because of poor eyesight.

He said Siloam Eye Hospital had handled numerous cataract surgery cases with encouraging outcomes, helping patients regain their vision and improve their quality of life.

"Over time, we have done a number of cataract surgeries that improve the quality of life for patients, especially elderly people and those who are really aged in the community," he said.

He added that the hospital was committed to ensuring patients identified with cataracts received the necessary assessment and appropriate surgical care.

Warning over glaucoma, the silent thief of sight

The eye specialist also raised concern over glaucoma, describing it as one of the dangerous eye conditions because it can develop without obvious symptoms during its early stages.

Koech said glaucoma is commonly referred to as the silent thief of sight because patients may continue losing their vision without experiencing pain or immediately recognising that something is wrong.

He warned that people who wait until they experience serious vision problems before seeking medical attention risk presenting at healthcare facilities when significant damage has already occurred.

"Glaucoma is a silent thief of sight. When not checked, it does not complain and does not bring pain. It is important that we have regular eye check-ups to prevent late presentations and finally loss of vision," he cautioned.

He urged Kenyans to make eye examinations part of their routine healthcare, even when they are not experiencing noticeable problems.

Prolonged screen exposure and family history

Koech further discussed some of the factors associated with eye complications, including ageing, environmental exposure and family history.

He noted that prolonged computer use could contribute to dry eye symptoms, particularly among people who spend extended periods working on digital devices.

He also said some refractive errors could be associated with family history, making early examinations important for families with a history of vision problems.

The specialist encouraged people working in industrial environments to take precautions against exposure to chemicals and other substances that may irritate or damage their eyes.

200,000 Kenyans estimated to be living with blindness

Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Koech cited an estimate of approximately 200,000 people living with blindness in Kenya, saying the figures demonstrated the need for more accessible eye screening, treatment and surgical services.

He also referenced global estimates indicating that eye allergies and cataracts contribute to significant cases of visual impairment, reinforcing the importance of early intervention.

He said community outreach programmes provide an opportunity for healthcare professionals to identify patients who may otherwise remain undiagnosed because of limited access to specialised services.

According to Koech, bringing eye services closer to the community helps identify complications at an earlier stage and ensures patients are guided towards appropriate treatment.

Siloam strengthens access through SHA and private insurance partnerships

On access to healthcare financing, Koech said Siloam Eye Hospital was working with different insurance providers to ensure more patients could access its medical services.

He confirmed that the facility accepts Social Health Authority (SHA) cover alongside other insurance providers, including Britam, First Assurance and AAR.

He welcomed clients covered under the different insurance schemes to seek eye examinations and specialised treatment at the facility.

The move is aimed at expanding access to eye healthcare by giving patients different options for financing their medical needs.

Koech said the hospital remained committed to partnering with insurance providers and other stakeholders to improve access to quality eye services.

A call to the community

As the two-day outreach continued, the medical director urged residents who had experienced deteriorating eyesight, persistent eye irritation or difficulties reading and seeing distant objects to seek professional medical attention.

He particularly appealed to families with elderly members experiencing vision challenges to ensure they receive proper eye assessments instead of assuming that poor eyesight is an unavoidable consequence of ageing.

He also encouraged parents to take children for eye examinations, especially those experiencing difficulties reading classroom materials or seeing clearly at school.

The World Sight Day initiative underscores the importance of making eye health a priority and ensuring that people understand that many causes of visual impairment can be managed or treated when identified early.

Through its specialised eye services, cataract surgery and community outreach programmes, Siloam Eye Hospital is seeking to strengthen access to eye healthcare and reduce the number of people living with untreated vision problems.

Koech maintained that protecting eyesight requires collective responsibility, urging individuals, families and communities to embrace regular eye check-ups rather than waiting until vision loss begins affecting their daily lives.