Swedish Organization Offers Free Eye Care to Homa Bay Residents

Homa Bay, Kenya – The Swedish organization Vision For All (VFA) is providing critical eye care services to thousands of residents in Homa Bay through a two-week free medical camp. The camp, hosted at the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital, features a team of seven ophthalmologists who have been diligently working to screen and treat patients with various eye conditions.

According to Kenya News Agency, over 800 residents have been screened and treated since the camp’s inception. The majority of patients are elderly, suffering from vision-impairing conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma. The focus of the camp is on screening, treatment, and providing reading glasses.

This initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Homa Bay government, is particularly targeting those over 60 years of age, encouraging them to undergo periodic eye checkups. Early detection and treatment of eye conditions like cataracts are crucial in preventing severe complications.

Ekstom, speaking during the camp on Friday, highlighted the importance of protecting eyes from excessive sunlight and other environmental factors like dust and dirty water, which contribute to eye disorders. He advised the use of clean water and avoiding substances that cause eye allergies as preventive measures.

Francis Ochieng, an ophthalmologist at the hospital, reported that they had conducted surgical operations on more than 30 patients with serious eye complications. Ochieng emphasized the importance of regular eye checkups for timely treatment, particularly urging residents with diabetes and hypertension to monitor their eye health closely. Quarry workers and welders were also advised to seek regular eye examinations.

Beneficiaries of the camp, including Vitalis Okello and Effie Onura, expressed gratitude for the services received. Okello, who received spectacles, shared his newfound ability to read finer print, like in the Bible, which was previously challenging. Onura highlighted the silent suffering of many residents due to the lack of funds for eye treatment and called for more such camps in the future.

The free medical camp is a significant boon for Homa Bay residents, providing necessary eye care and raising awareness about the importance of regular eye health checkups.