Blindness and visual impairment are significant public health challenges in Kenya, particularly in underserved communities. Retinal diseases contribute to this burden, and there's a strong need for improved access to retina care in these areas. 

What are the issues?

1. Over 80% of blindness in Kenya is due to curable or preventable causes.
2. An estimated 7.5 million Kenyans need eye care services to prevent vision loss.
3. The prevalence of visual impairment is decreasing in Sub-Saharan Africa, but the number of people affected is rising due to population growth and increased life expectancy.
4. While uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts are the leading causes of visual impairment, retinal diseases also contribute significantly.
5. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a growing concern, with a prevalence of 36% to 41% in Kenya.
6. A hospital-based study found a 9.8% prevalence of retinal diseases, with complications from diabetes, retinal detachment, and dry age-related macular degeneration being the most common.
7. Nearly half of the eyes studied were blind or severely visually impaired. 

What are the challenges?

1. Limited Availability: Retinal assessments and specialist care are often limited to national and county referral hospitals, especially in rural areas.
2. Affordability: Eye care services, particularly specialized treatments and medications, can be costly and inaccessible for economically disadvantaged individuals.
3. Geographic Barriers: Long distances to eye clinics and poor transportation infrastructure hinder access, particularly for those in rural areas.
4. Human Resource Shortages: A lack of trained eye care professionals, including retina specialists and ophthalmic technicians, further exacerbates the problem.
5. Cultural Beliefs and Stigma: Misconceptions about eye problems and traditional beliefs can discourage individuals from seeking timely care.
6. Poor Follow-Up: Ensuring patient adherence to follow-up visits, which is crucial for managing chronic retinal conditions like diabetic retinopathy, remains a significant challenge.
7. Equipment Maintenance: Malfunctioning or broken equipment can severely disrupt service delivery, and the lack of trained technicians to repair specialized ophthalmic devices further complicates the situation.