Hundreds benefit as KSB, MedPro combat preventable blindness

Doctors performing an eye surgery on a patient during a medical camp organised by Kenya Society for the Blind in partnership with MedPro International/HANDOUT

The Kenya Society for the Blind (KSB), in partnership with MedPro International, has launched a free three-day medical and surgical eye camp in Nairobi.

The camp is delivering critical services to hundreds of residents in a bid to combat preventable blindness and promote visual health.

The initiative, which kicked off on Sunday, June 15, has already screened 392 individuals, distributed 204 reading glasses, prescribed 78 custom glasses, administered eye drops to 335 patients, and conducted 16 life-changing cataract surgeries—restoring sight to members of the community who had been living in darkness due to lack of access to affordable care.

Speaking during the camp, Samson Waweru, Executive Director of KSB, said the effort reflects the organisation's core mission of preventing avoidable blindness while supporting rehabilitation for those already affected.

“Over 15 million Kenyans are currently at risk of going blind, with the majority of cases stemming from treatable conditions,” Waweru said.

“Through early screening, public education, and collaborative action, we can reduce this burden significantly.”

Founded in 1956 through an Act of Parliament, KSB has worked tirelessly—without direct government funding—in partnership with the Ministries of Health, Education, and Social Protection to improve eye health across the country.

Waweru noted that cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in Kenya, followed by uncorrected refractive errors, glaucoma, and vision loss caused by diabetes and hypertension.

He warned that without timely intervention, these conditions often lead to irreversible blindness. 

Dr. Albert Masuwa, head of the eye care department at KSB and the camp's lead cataract surgeon, emphasised the urgency of identifying and treating visual impairments early.

“We encountered numerous cases that required immediate surgery, which we were able to perform during the camp,” said Masuwa. “But for those we cannot help surgically, we ensure they receive proper rehabilitation and support.”

He also highlighted the broader challenges facing the eye care sector in Kenya, including high costs of medical equipment and the limited number of trained specialists.

“Eye care needs long-term investment. We call on government and private stakeholders to support sustainable, grassroots-level access to services,” he urged.

The impact of the camp was deeply felt by community members. Agnes Inamu, a local health promoter and one of the cataract surgery beneficiaries, expressed heartfelt gratitude.

“This camp has changed my life. I can now see clearly again and continue serving my community,” she said.

“We thank KSB and MedPro for bringing these services to people who would otherwise remain forgotten.”

The eye camp continues through Tuesday, June 17, offering a model for how targeted, collaborative healthcare efforts can transform lives and promote health equity in Kenya.