Kenya Rural Blindness EradIcation Project (eye camps)
1000 operations in one year!
Since 1985 we have been running the Kenya Rural Blindness Eradication Project to perform cataract operations to poor and deserving people.
The team comprises an opthalmic crew with theatre equipment and sets up a makeshift operation theatre to perform the cataract operations. Operations have been conducted in Eldoret, Mukumu, Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, Kericho, Kaptagat, Nyeri, Thika, Kabras, Eldama Ravine, Chogoria, Kapenguria and Kisii.
Over 10,000 free cataract operations have been undertaken. There are still over 100,000 patients awaiting cataract operations. Apart from cataracts, Kenya has perhaps the highest incidence of Keratoconus, which is very common in young patients. The normal shape of the cornea is similar to that of a soccer ball, however, in a Keratoconus patient, the cornea tends to be Similar to the shape of a rugby ball. If this condition is not treated in time, the cornea perforates leadiflg to corneal blindness. For the last four years, we started regular Keratoplasty operations in Kenya and the Eye Bank (Tissue Bank Intemational, Baltimore, U.S.A.) is sending free corneas and we are performing free corneal grafting operations.
The cost of a single eye camp is Kshs.1 million for an average of 180 operations or Kshs.5,500 per operation.
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