The eye unit at the Nakuru level five hospital is set to receive a major face lift, in a bid to reduce backlog and incidences of cataracts in the region.

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Nakuru County Health CEC Dr Gichuki Kariuki said the facility has a wide catchment area, thus the need for appropriate facilities, infrastructure and adequately trained staff.

He was speaking on the last day of a one-week long free eye clinic at the facility where 240 people with cataract were operated on.

Cataract is defined as a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye.

The operations were conducted by a team of seven visiting Spanish and two local ophthalmologists.

Dr Isabel Siones from Spain said cataract is the main cause of blindness in the world, and there is great need for governments to invest in eye care for proper management.

She said the team will be back in Nakuru after three months for a follow-up, where those operated on, after healing, will be issued with glasses and other optical devices. 

Dr Mourice Musyoki, the lead county ophthalmologist said the unit has recorded a high number of Diabetic retinopathy; a diabetes complication that affects eyes.

He noted that the Oncology Center at the hospital has helped in the detection of the condition enabling early interventions.