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Glaucoma Surgery triples
Three times as many people underwent glaucoma surgery this year, compared with the expected figure.
This is entirely due to early detection of this insidious disease with our Icare rebound tonometer (pictured in our newsletter earlier this year).
80% of people on the rehabilitation programme are blind because of glaucoma. Now that we can detect the disease in its early stages we can stop people going blind.
The picture on the right shows Hassan, rescued from a blind old-age, after his glaucoma surgery.
Deaf Blind Programme
Helping people to overcome multiple disabilities is very challenging. Our deaf /blind programme is addressing these specific issues.
Two- year old Nzonga, born deaf and blind, used to have six fits a day. We referred him to the epileptic clinic. He can now sit and stand on his own and may only have one fit a week.
The picture on the right shows Nzonga sitting at home with his mother |
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2 - Community Based Programme including low vision |
2008 has been a year with many challenges. This report highlights our work with children.
Low vision work requires a lot of patience. Many cases need lengthy discussions with parents and family before children can be treated.
Rai’s story
Rai’s parents realised that their son had poor vision. At KDEC he was diagnosed with cataract in both eyes. Following successful surgery in May and the fitting of spectacles, Rai can now play with his friends, but is still struggling to see small toys.
Children with albinism need protection
The picture on the right shows Sarah receiving sun lotion donated by hotel visitors who do not need to take supplies home with them
Ramayan’s story
Ramayan was 2 years old when we first met him. He could not see but his mother did not want our help.
A donor supported an initiative by KDEC on awareness creation specifically targeting schoolchildren. Ramayan’s sister came home one night and explained to her mother what she had learnt.
Now his mother attends seminars for parents of children with visual problems, to share and exchange views on how best to deal with them.
The school awareness programme was a turning point in Ramayan’s life. He will now get an education.
Ramayan now goes to school with his brothers and sisters. The teachers in the school have been trained to deal with his disability.
Cataract Surgery
The picture on the right shows a child born with cataracts fitted with refractive glasses after surgery. The treatment was funded from the Standard Chartered Nairobi marathon. |
Above: Rai ready for his first day at nursery school
Above: Ramayan on his way to school
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3 - Rehabilitation |
Rehabilitation of people with irreversible visual loss only works if the community become involved.
The picture on the right shows our Rehabilitation Officer training Government Social Development Assistants. They will take on the job as part of their daily work.
Overcoming traditional beliefs
Mwajuma, blind from birth with cataracts, was treated with traditional charms around her wrists.
Eventually her mother accepted they do not work and took her to KDEC for conventional treatment. Now she can see.
The picture on the right shows little Mwajuma with her charms. |
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4 -
Eye Camps |
For many in under-served communities, the chance of seeing an eye doctor is a dream come true. Hopes of seeing again are rekindled at the chance and people walk huge distances to get help.
Often, when they think no one is watching, many patients jump for joy after years in the dark.
The picture on the right shows elderly blind patients being led to care at an eye camp at Kalacha, Northern Kenya
The second picture on the right shows surgery in a local health centre performed on a wooden table. |
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5 - Staff & Training |
Staff
Dr. Sebastian Briesen, our student last year from the University of Nairobi, passed his final ophthalmology exams with distinction. He has joined us as a consultant ophthalmologist. With two consultants we are now doing more research and training ophthalmic students. The top picture on the right shows Dr. Briesen receiving his award for outstanding achievement from the Hon Aparanya deputizing for the Minister of Health.
Training
Staff refresher training is essential to keep up with modern techniques and technology. The middle picture on the right shows Ms. Zahra Ali, an Optometrist from Nairobi, training the staff on refraction and the treatment of squints. The third picture on the right shows Lilian, who is from the Kenya Medical Training Centre in Nairobi, training with us for six months as a cataract surgeon.
In addition we play our part in the training of others. Two clinical officers from North Horr (Northern Kenya) came to KDEC for 2 weeks to learn how to deal with ophthalmic patients. This means that the communities around North Horr will get ophthalmic help in future. |
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6 - Visitors to the Eye Centre |
Safaricom Foundation
The Safaricom Foundation sponsors the annual Diani Rules Charity sports event.
The picture on the right shows Mike Kariuki, the Manager of Mombasa Safaricom branch, on his first visit to KDEC giving a cheque to Rahema. |
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Other visitors in 2008
- M. Odera
- S. Nyanje, M. Hassan, M. Zaman & N. Ozullmaz –
MEWA Hospital, Mombasa
- A. Kinuthia & A. Kibunja – Standard Chartered
Bank
- N. Njagi – Gina Din Corporate Communications
- Eng. J.M. Riungu, M.R. Fox – Tsavo Power Co Ltd
- Mr. & Mrs. A. Peatfield – Funzi Bodo Trust
- Mr. & Mrs. Laako—Austria
- W. Thamm—Germany
- E. Von Kummer—Germany
- Mr. & Mrs Kurowski– Germany
- Mr. & Mrs Malzburg—Germany
- Nigel Wild and family, Foxdale, UK
- S Gosling UK
- N. Kilanga, area councillor
- S. Wamboi, E. Mutua & T. Koech- Cooperative
Bank of Kenya
- Rajmain, National Bank of Kenya
- R. Chandaria & Group, Khimji Farm
- P. Hirani ,H. Ramsena, H. Chincherini, Ukunda
- Marion and Florida – Germany
- Dr. R. & Mrs E. Finlay, UK
- K Ashani, Mombasa
- J. Murumba, A. Gray, Sense Intl.
- J. Mwachinyezi, Kwale School for the Blind
- M. Wenteges, H. Breuer, E. and I. Bulb - Holland
- Harji & Madhu Sachania, UK
- Students & teachers of Adelbert College, NL
- Jim Crow, trustee Eyes for East Africa UK
- Verkaart Foundation, NL Albino Project
- David and Elaine Steers, Rotary Club of Fleet, UK
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7 - Fundraising & Publicity |
Cycling to restore sight
The top picture on the right shows Messrs Heinz and Hartung from Germany who presented over Euro 9000, having cycled in many parts of the world raising funds for KDEC.
Local Marathon
The second picture on the right shows four staff ran in the Standard Chartered Bank Marathon on 28 October. Sponsorship money was used to restore children’s sight.
Diani Goat Derby
Diani Goat Derby run by East African Womens League raised Ksh100,000 ( U$1333) for KDEC. This year we ran a charity tent, demonstrating microsurgery on a tomato, and testing sight and pressure for a small fee.
The third picture on the right shows the goats and their handlers as they race to save sight
The last picture on the right shows Dr Roberts' team at the Goat Derby illustrating the challenges of being blind
Liaison Eye Go Fishing
Again this year we just beat the fundraising record and the fishing record with 41 sailfish tagged and released on 22nd November.
A record Ksh 430,800 was raised (US$5,745) to fight blindness in Kenya. |
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Activity |
2008 Target |
2008 Achieved
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Eye Care |
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Patients seen at KDEC |
9,100 |
10,223 |
Operations: |
1,840 |
1,838 |
- of which how many were cataracts |
1,500 |
1477 |
- of which how many were blind in both eyes |
500 |
421 |
Glaucoma Operations |
40 |
122 |
Community Work |
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Awareness Creation Meetings |
240 reaching 20,000 clients |
224 reaching 27,036 people |
Training of Rural Health Workers |
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Women's Groups |
20 reaching 300 people |
18 reaching 273 people |
Village Health Committees |
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Community Workshops |
12 reaching 300 people |
12 reaching 292 people |
Outreach clinics |
130 reaching 9,100 |
164 reaching 12,768 people |
School Awareness Meetings |
16 primary schools |
16 primary schools |
Low Vision / Education |
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New Cases found |
55 |
77 |
Integrated into mainstream education
i.e. pre-primary, primary & secondary |
50 |
14 |
Primary schools visited |
25 reaching 200 teachers |
26 reaching 217 teachers |
Community meetings held |
40 reaching 2,000 people |
36 reaching 1,882 people |
Follow-up low-vision cases |
100 |
95 |
Rehabilitation |
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New Cases found |
55 |
51 |
Assessed (initial) |
55 |
55 |
No. followed-up |
100 |
89 |
Given home based training |
55 |
37 |
Rehab training for irreversibly blind persons and
carers |
80 |
79 |
Community meetings held |
50 reaching 2,500 people |
30 reaching 2,468 people |
Deaf Blind |
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New cases |
10 |
16 |
Assessed |
10 |
24 |
Provided with Rehab services |
25 |
21 |
Training of Deaf/Blind families |
25 |
9 |
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