Story by Sherine Atieno and Photos by Ogega Ondari.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Despite the high volume of cataract surgeries performed across Kenya each year, a growing number of patients continue to report poor visual outcomes—raising concerns within the eye health community.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 80% of all cataract surgeries should result in good postoperative visDespite the high volume of cataract surgeries performed across Kenya each year, a growing number of patients continue to report poor visual outcomes—raising concerns within the eye health community.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 80% of all cataract surgeries should result in good postoperative vision. However, due to systemic challenges—including insufficient surgical planning, and the absence of consistent quality control—many facilities are still falling short of this global standard.
In response, the Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF), in partnership with the Ministry of Health is leading a renewed push to strengthen surgical outcomes. This focused on biometry—the critical process of measuring the axial length and corneal curvature of the eye to determine the correct intraocular lens (IOL) for each patient. When this process is inaccurate, it can result in poor visual outcomes even after technically successful surgeries.
During a recent technical training session hosted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), health workers from county hospitals, the Ministry of Health, and partner organizations underwent intensive training on biometry and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). The sessions focused on practical techniques, including how to avoid errors like corneal compression, scleral spikes, incorrect axial length recordings, and the mishandling of patient records. These seemingly minor mistakes can lead to major consequences if not addressed systematically.
The concept of quality in eye care was emphasized throughout the training, led by Dr. Tsedeke of the Fred Hollows Foundation. He highlighted that quality encompasses more than clinical outcomes—it includes patient satisfaction, efficient service delivery, timeliness, and adherence to standards. This comprehensive view aligns with the FHF’s five domains of quality: clinical outcomes, productivity, cost-effectiveness, equity, and environmental sustainability.
Kenya’s Cataract Surgical Outcome Monitoring (CSOM) 2024 report, presented during the session, revealed uneven surgical outcomes across different regions. This called for urgent need for capacity building, standardization, and performance monitoring. Risk factors for poor outcomes include patient age, complex surgical cases, and inadequate follow-up.
The renewed commitment to training, patient tracking, and institutional investment in quality eye care could be a game-changer in Kenya’s quest to eliminate avoidable blindness and achieve the eye health targets outlined in Vision 2030 and Universal Health Coverage.on. However, due to systemic challenges—including insufficient surgical planning, and the absence of consistent quality control—many facilities are still falling short of this global standard.
In response, the Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF), in partnership with the Ministry of Health is leading a renewed push to strengthen surgical outcomes. This focused on biometry—the critical process of measuring the axial length and corneal curvature of the eye to determine the correct intraocular lens (IOL) for each patient. When this process is inaccurate, it can result in poor visual outcomes even after technically successful surgeries.
During a recent technical training session hosted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), health workers from county hospitals, the Ministry of Health, and partner organizations underwent intensive training on biometry and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). The sessions focused on practical techniques, including how to avoid errors like corneal compression, scleral spikes, incorrect axial length recordings, and the mishandling of patient records. These seemingly minor mistakes can lead to major consequences if not addressed systematically.
The concept of quality in eye care was emphasized throughout the training, led by Dr. Tsedeke of the Fred Hollows Foundation. He highlighted that quality encompasses more than clinical outcomes—it includes patient satisfaction, efficient service delivery, timeliness, and adherence to standards. This comprehensive view aligns with the FHF’s five domains of quality: clinical outcomes, productivity, cost-effectiveness, equity, and environmental sustainability.
Kenya’s Cataract Surgical Outcome Monitoring (CSOM) 2024 report, presented during the session, revealed uneven surgical outcomes across different regions. This called for urgent need for capacity building, standardization, and performance monitoring. Risk factors for poor outcomes include patient age, complex surgical cases, and inadequate follow-up.
The renewed commitment to training, patient tracking, and institutional investment in quality eye care could be a game-changer in Kenya’s quest to eliminate avoidable blindness and achieve the eye health targets outlined in Vision 2030 and Universal Health Coverage.