For thousands of Kenyans, losing sight is no longer a distant possibility; it is a growing reality.[File Standard]
For thousands of Kenyans, losing sight is no longer a distant possibility; it is a growing reality.
From elderly patients waiting years for cataract surgery to young people developing vision problems linked to diabetes and excessive screen use, eye health experts are warning that Kenya is facing a silent vision crisis that threatens both public health and economic productivity.
The warning comes as the Ministry of Health reveals alarming new findings showing that a majority of patients awaiting cataract surgery may never receive treatment in time.
According to findings published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, an estimated 77 per cent of individuals on Kenya's cataract surgery backlog in 2025 are likely to die before receiving treatment. The study further projects that between 2025 and 2029, four people will die without receiving cataract surgery for every one patient who is treated.
