Why Kenyans are losing eyesight early- specialist
Kenyans are losing eyesight at relatively young age as a result of dietary causes and lack of medical check-ups, according to a top doctor from India.
Eye specialist Dr Deepak Batra, who has been seeing patients in the country for 13 years, says many Kenyans are going blind at the age of 40 and below, mostly due to causes that can be avoided.
He attributed this to lack of foods with vitamin A, failure to undergo regular check-ups and poor hygiene, among other causes. “We have seen a condition called pigment glaucoma which is turning many young patients blind. I strongly suggest that the people of Kenya should get checked every six months after the age of 40 to prevent this avoidable blindness,” said Dr Batra.
The medic is leading a team of seven eye specialists from India who are part of medical experts from the Asian country participating in the Shah Free Eye and ENT Medical Camp at Chania Girls High School, Thika.
The six-day clinic organised by the Shree Jain Youth League has seen about 500 patients operated mainly for eye cataract for free and hundreds more given medication and eye glasses. Others were treated for ear, nose and throat ailments.
Doctors strike
According to Jayesh Haria, the Chairman Shree Jain Youth League Thika, the Shah Free Eye and ENT medical camp has witnessed a huge turnout of patients as a result of the doctors’ strike which has paralysed medical services in all public health institutions.
“Due to the ongoing doctors’ strike, many people cannot afford treatment in private hospitals. This is the reason the numbers have shot up this time,” said Haria, adding that the organizers were facilitating transport and accommodation for those admitted.
Rohin Shah, the Jain Youth League vice-chairman, said the medical camp in which more than 7,500 patients have been screened and treated since it began on April 17, has been supplementing government efforts towards providing universal healthcare.
Veronica Gichia, one of the beneficiaries of the eye cataract operations said she could not afford treatment in a private facility where she had been referred.
