Acute shortage of corneas has left scores of patients waiting to get a transplant of the eye organ.
Lions Sight First Eye Hospital, which is an eye bank in Africa, has exhausted all corneas and residents are reluctant to donate the organ.
An ophthalmologist, Daniel Mburu, who works with the hospital, observes that the majority of Kenyans have not embraced organ donation, which is mostly done when one passes on.
Mburu, speaking to KNA in Murang’a during a free eye screening camp, said there is a growing list of patients awaiting cornea transplants because there is an acute shortage of the organ in the country.
The medic noted in their hospital that over 1,000 people are on the waiting list for cornea transplants, but not a single one is available.
“We have an acute shortage of corneas and we are desperately looking for people who can donate them.
“Due to cultural reasons, many Kenyans have not embraced organ donation but we are appealing for support to help save lives and give sight to those who have lost it,” said Mburu.
For one to donate an organ, the ophthalmologist explained, one is only required to fill out a commitment for allowing for harvesting of the cornea, which is to be done within hours after death.
“We just take a little bit of the front of the eye and we do cosmetic surgery to ensure it’s not disfigured, and through this someone is going to have their eyesight restored,” he remarked.
Mburu further observed that there is a high prevalence of eye-related diseases in the country, among them cataracts, raised eye pressure, infections and allergies.
He divulged cataracts are becoming common among the elderly people aged above 55 years and if not treated early, they can lead to blindness.
“Cases of eye allergies are also common across the country and if not treated, they can lead to cornea scarring, which will eventually need a transplant, but the infections are common in the dry areas due to dust and pollutants in the air,” he added.
The medic also said people suffering from diabetes and hypertension are at risk of developing eye problems, saying a medical survey has revealed that there is a correlation between the two conditions and eye problems.
For the children, Mburu warned that spending too much time on screens like computers, TVs, and phones can affect their sight, urging parents to ensure they regulate the screen time for their children.
He, however, pointed out there is not enough eyecare due to a lack of adequate eye specialists in the country and thus some people don’t get proper diagnosis for their conditions.
The ophthalmologist said the eye speciality hospital has been doing outreach programmes in all parts of the country where they do 300 operations per week to the patients free of charge.
“Our outreach programmes ensure that people get thorough screening of their eyes and a better diagnosis is done and those found having major problems get advanced treatment free of charge,” he stated.
By Bernard Munyao
