A Nakuru-based eye expert has said poverty among many Kenyans contributes to the prevalent eye diseases in the country.
Dr Elkama Onsumu, an ophthalmology lecturer at Egerton University, who was speaking ahead of a free eye clinic to be held at the university today, told our reporter that he believes many eye ailments are partly caused by high poverty levels among Kenyans.
“It is sad and unfortunate that there is a large blind spot in poor countries of the world in eye disease services,” the don said.
“This blind spot is the tragedy of avoidable blindness and other eye ailments among many citizens.
“The hallmark of the so called poor countries is poverty among citizens because they receive poor medical services hence these diseases have a field day – only realised in advanced or neglected states.
He noted that majority of the over 40 million blind people in the world come from developing countries, especially in Africa. He added that there was a need for sensitisation and awareness on eye ailments because most of them can be prevented.
The medical said that according to statistics, at least seven million people across the world get blind due to eye-related ailments, while majority (80 percent) are from poor nations of the world in Asia, South America and Africa.
The free eye clinic that is being sponsored by Confucius Institute and the Lions Club is aimed at providing awareness and treatment opportunities to students and members of the public in Nakuru County.