Kenya is grappling with a worsening eye health crisis driven by a severe cataract surgery backlog and rising cases of preventable blindness linked to the unregulated use of steroid-based eye drops.
Data released ahead of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness) 2030 In Sight Live conference in Nairobi shows the country’s eye care system is under intense strain.
Huge cataract surgery backlog
Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in Kenya, accounting for nearly half of all cases. However, treatment capacity remains far below demand.
An estimated 360,000 to 700,000 people are currently waiting for cataract surgery, highlighting a major treatment gap.
A study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity further warns that up to 77% of patients on the 2025 backlog could die of natural causes before receiving surgery due to limited surgical capacity.
Kenya’s Cataract Surgical Rate stands at about 800 surgeries per million people annually, well below the World Health Organization (World Health Organization) target of 2,000.
Steroid eye drop misuse raising blindness risk
The Ministry of Health has also raised alarm over the widespread misuse of steroid-based eye drops, often obtained over the counter without prescription.
Drugs such as Probeta-N are commonly used for quick relief of redness and irritation, leading to prolonged unsupervised use.
Health officials warn that this practice can cause serious complications, including steroid-induced glaucoma, toxic cataracts, and worsening of undiagnosed infections that may lead to irreversible blindness.
Government response
In response, the Ministry of Health is scaling up interventions targeting improved eye care access, expanded specialist distribution, and stricter enforcement of pharmacy regulations.
Authorities also aim to intensify screening campaigns as part of efforts to address the estimated 30% of Kenyans requiring some form of eye care services.
Source Attributed;The Standard