In Kenya, eye health is a growing concern. With over 328,000 people living with blindness and another 750,000 experiencing visual impairments, the country faces a significant challenge in addressing preventable vision loss. Every year, around 14,500 new cases of cataracts are reported. Fortunately, innovative technology and community-based solutions are beginning to make a real difference in improving access to eye care, especially in remote areas.
One such initiative is the partnership between The Fred Hollows Foundation, Christian Blind Mission, and the Kenyan government, aimed at tackling avoidable blindness in communities throughout the country. At the heart of this initiative is the use of Peek technology, a simple yet powerful screening tool that is revolutionizing eye care.
Innovative Technology for Eye Health
Peek is a smartphone-based tool designed to make eye health assessments more accessible. Through this technology, Community Health Promoters (CHPs), trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation, are able to perform screenings for common eye conditions such as cataracts and refractive errors. CHPs, who are local health workers familiar with the communities they serve, use Peek to capture vital information such as personal contact details, screen for eye conditions, issue referrals for further treatment, and even send appointment confirmations via SMS.
This approach has proven to be particularly effective in remote areas, where many people face barriers to accessing traditional eye care services in larger towns or cities. With Peek, health promoters can bring services directly to the people, providing an invaluable service for those who might otherwise go untreated.
The Vision Impact Project in Embu County
One of the key areas where this technology is making a difference is Embu County, located about 100km north of Nairobi. In partnership with the County Department of Health and the Ministry of Education, The Fred Hollows Foundation is implementing a community-based eye health program aimed at reducing preventable blindness. The program is already showing significant results.
In 2024, the project screened over 170,000 people, including 111,169 from the community and 61,852 from local schools. A total of 40,656 referrals were made, with 313 surgeries performed to address cataracts and other eye conditions. These numbers highlight the immense impact that this technology-driven approach is having in reaching underserved populations and improving their quality of life.
Reaching the Most Vulnerable
Community Health Promoters go house-to-house in local villages, visiting people who face challenges in accessing eye care services. One such example is Roslin, a 25-year-old mother of two from Kamumu community. Roslin had been suffering from itchy, painful eyes since childhood, a condition made worse by smoke from cooking fires, a common practice in many Kenyan homes. Thanks to a visit from a CHP using Peek, Roslin was screened, her details registered, and an appointment set for follow-up care. This personalized approach ensures that people like Roslin are not left behind.
The project also focuses on school children, who are screened and entered into the system for treatment and follow-up. This initiative has had a particularly positive impact on educational outcomes, as children with visual impairments are identified early and provided with the necessary treatment. According to Peter Milo, Kenya Country Director of The Fred Hollows Foundation, school eye health initiatives are already underway in Embu County and will expand to additional sub-counties in 2025.
Looking toward the future, The Fred Hollows Foundation is committed to expanding the reach of this project. Plans for 2025 include extending the program to the remaining sub-counties of Mwea and Embu West, further increasing access to eye health services across the region. The Vision Impact Project is a shining example of how community-driven, technology-enabled solutions can address critical health challenges in underserved populations.
This program is not just about technology; it’s about transforming lives. By restoring sight to those who need it most, the project provides individuals with the ability to live more productive lives. Sight restoration improves school attendance, boosts education outcomes, enhances economic opportunities, and ultimately leads to a better quality of life. The Vision Impact Project highlights how investing in eye health can create far-reaching positive effects, not just for individuals, but for entire communities.
As more people receive access to these services, Kenya moves closer to achieving a future where avoidable blindness is a thing of the past, thanks to the power of innovation, community engagement, and a simple smartphone tool.
