Background: Myopia is a global public health priority. Many modifiable and non modifiable risk factors have been shown to influence the development of myopia, but these factors are not adequately known by the general public. This study assessed public awareness of the factors that are associated with myopia among the general population in Kisumu County, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to February 2020 using an Internet-based questionnaire. We collected basic socio demographic characteristics and investigated participants’ knowledge of risk and protective factors that are associated with myopia. The primary outcome measures were the proportions of participants who identified each option as a risk factor. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare levels of the knowledge of factors that are associated with myopia across populations with different demographic characteristics. Results: Data from a total of 3,000 respondents were analyzed. The percentages of participants who accurately identified myopia risk factors were the following: 84.24% for genetics, 65.07% for reading and close up work, 56.68% for environmental conditions, 48.74% for visual stress, and 42.66% for diabetes. The percentages of participants who accurately identified myopia corrections were as follows: 90.00% for corrective lenses, 84.69% for corneal refractive surgery and 80.92% for refractive surgery. The majority of Kisumu residents correctly recognized the role of lifestyle factors in the development of myopia but not genetic factors. Levels of knowledge of the factors that are associated with myopia were significantly distinct across populations with different characteristics. The following socio demographic characteristics were associated with more comprehensive knowledge of myopia risk and corrective measures: women, young age, high education levels, white- collar jobs, and history of myopia in a family. Conclusions: Public awareness and knowledge of risk and corrective measures for myopia in Kisumu is still insufficient. More efforts are needed to publicize information about myopia to reduce risk and prevent myopia

Background: VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, was to ensure that by the year 2020, a great reduction in the incidences of avoidable blindness be recorded. This was achivable by training optometrists. Kenya has a population of 47 million, with 56 registered optometrists who are not regulated by the government. However there is no data on optometrists view on the future of optometry in Kenya and the public health implication. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was emailed to 56 registered optometrists. The questionnaire contained broad areas such as demographics of participants, their view on status of optometry in kenya, challenges faced by the optometrists, availability of lecturers, their concerns on the way forward and how these issues impacts on public health. A chi-square was used to look at associations and odds ratio was computed.Results: A vast majority (90%) of the respondents suggested that regulating optometry will be the only solution to their problems. Most respondents 91.7% agreed that the situation has impacted negatively on the public health. General public awareness on what is optometry should be enhanced 79%. The qualitative analysis produced four broad themes: (1) regulation; (2) unity; (3) public health implication and (4) creating public awareness. Conclusion: The key recommendations was to lobby for regulation of optometry practise and there is need for public awareness on what is optometry and their role in the eye care. Adequate lecturers should be recruited to ensure quality among graduates in delivery to the public.

Background: Visual impairment is the partial or complete loss of vision in which the presenting visual acuity lie between 6/18-no perceptions of light. In Kenya, little attention has been directed towards children vision and causes of visual impairment. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the children population of Kenya.Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study included 3400 (1800, 52.9% female) randomly selected children with a mean age of 12 ± 2 years (range 5–16 years). Visual acuity was taken using Snellens chart at 6 meters. Anterior and posterior segment was assessed using slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope. The World Health Organization definition formed the baseline for calculating the mean prevalence of visual impairment.Results: Visual acuity measurements were available for 3240 (95.3%) participants. The mean prevalence of visual impairment based on pin-hole value was 1.7 ± 0.3% using World Health Organization definition. The prevalence of visual impairment based on presenting visual acuity value was 2.4 ± 0.7% using the World Health Organization definition. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of visual impairment on pin-hole increased significantly with increasing age (odds ratio 1.230, P=.021) and uncorrected refractive error (odds ratio 0.834, P = .032) according to World Health Organization definition. Cases of uncorrected refractive error remained the major cause for presenting visual impairment. Causes of visual impairment due to presenting visual acuity were nystagmus (14%), amblyopia (24%) and uncorrected refractive error (62%).Conclusion: The prevalence of visual impairment in Kenya is associated with age. Uncorrected refractive error remains the major causes of visual impairment.

Background The quality of life can be impacted negatively by blindness arising from cataract. The total prevalence of blindness in Kenya is estimated at 0.7%, however cataract contributes almost half (43%) of the total blindness in Kenya. Optometrists are well placed to assess and refer cataract patients. However, little is known on optometrists’ skills, practice and knowledge. Therefore, this study was designed to assess optometrists’ knowledge, skill and practice on cataract in Kisumu, Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted from June 2019 to August 219 using self-administered questionnaire. Basic socio-demographic characteristics were collected and participants’ knowledge, skills and practice on cataract were investigated. The primary outcome measure was the proportions of participants who identified the questions related to knowledge, skills and practice on cataract. Chi-square analysis was performed to assess the association between demographic characteristics of participants with practice, knowledge and skills. Results A total of 49 optometrists with a mean age of 30.4 years and mean duration of practice of 1–10 years were interviewed. Most optometrists had good knowledge on various aspects of cataract. For example (98%) had a good knowledge on the types of cataract. Almost three quarter (75.5%) of the optometrists reported that they could diagnose cataract correctly based on skills. However, half (57.1%) of the optometrists could not identify nuclear cataract. Being a self reported practice and not an observed practice, most optometrists (61.2%) reported that they did not screen patients aged 40 years and above for cataract. Almost half (52.6%) of the optometrists reported that they did a routine eye examination however, they could not justify the significance of examining the crystalline lens for patient above 40 years. Conclusion The study established that despite the good level of knowledge among optometrist on cataract, there exist a gap on skills and practice. The results of this study calls for more clinical based activities among optometrists. This will eases diagnosis of cataract and its management with an aim to reduce the burden in Kenya.

Background Visual impairment is the partial or complete loss of vision in which the presenting visual acuity lie between 6/18-no perceptions of light. In Kenya, little attention has been directed towards children vision and causes of visual impairment. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the children population of Kenya. Methods This cross-sectional population-based study included 3400 (1800, 52.9% female) randomly selected children with a mean age of 12 ± 2 years (range 5–16 years). Visual acuity was taken using Snellens chart at 6 m. Anterior and posterior segment was assessed using slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope. The World Health Organization definition formed the baseline for calculating the mean prevalence of visual impairment. Results Visual acuity measurements were available for 3240 (95.3%) participants. The mean prevalence of visual impairment based on pin-hole value was 1.7 ± 0.3% using World Health Organization definition. The prevalence of visual impairment based on presenting visual acuity value was 2.4 ± 0.7% using the World Health Organization definition. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of visual impairment on pin-hole increased significantly with increasing age (odds ratio 1.230, P = .021) and uncorrected refractive error (odds ratio 0.834, P = .032) according to World Health Organization definition. Cases of uncorrected refractive error remained the major cause for presenting visual impairment. Causes of visual impairment due to presenting visual acuity were nystagmus (14%), amblyopia (24%) and uncorrected refractive error (62%). Conclusion The prevalence of visual impairment in Kenya is associated with age. Uncorrected refractive error remains the major causes of visual impairment.

BackgroundVisual impairment impacts negatively on quality of life. Kenya has a total fertility rate of 3.5 an indication of more younger generation. However, little is known on the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the children population of Kenya.MethodsThis cross-sectional population-based study included 3400 (1800, 52.9% female) randomly selected children with a mean age of 12 ± 2 years (range 5–16 years) in Kenya. Visual acuity was taken using snellens chart at 6 meters. Anterior and posterior segments were assessed using slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope. The World Health Organization formed the baseline for calculating prevalence of visual impairment.ResultsVisual acuity measurements were available for 3240 (95.3%) participants. The prevalence of visual impairment, based on pin-hole value, using World Health Organization, was 1.7 ± 0.3%. The prevalence of visual impairment, based on presenting visual acuity value, was 2.4 ± 0.7%, using the World Health Organization definition. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of visual impairment on pin-hole, according to World Health Organization definition increased significantly with increasing age (odds ratio 1.230, P = .021) and increased astigmatism (odds ratio 0.834, P = .032), but not significantly associated with socioeconomic, ocular conditions after adjusting for age and astigmatism. Lack of refractive error correction was the most common reason for presenting visual impairment. Causes of visual impairment due to presenting visual acuity were amblyopia (24%), nystagmus (14%), myopia (49%) and hyperopia (13%).ConclusionThe prevalence of visual impairment in Kenya increased significantly with socio-economic activities. Uncorrected refractive error remains the major causes of visual impairment.

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Background: Cataract is a major contributor to avoidable blindness in the world and greatly impact negatively on the quality of life. The prevalence of blindness in Kenya is estimated at 0.7% with cataract contributing 43%. Optometrists being the primary eye care providers for cataract patients, they are well placed to assess and refer cataract patients. Though there is no data on optometrist knowledge, skill and practice on cataract in Kisumu, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted from June 2019 to August 219 using self-administered questionnaire. We collected basic socio-demographic characteristics and investigated participants’ knowledge, skills and practice on cataract. The primary outcome measures were the proportions of participants who identified the questions related to knowledge, skills and practice on cataract. Chi-square analysis was performed to look at the association between demographic and practice, knowledge and skills. Results: A total of 49 optometrists were interviewed with a male to female ratio of 2:1, mean age of 30.4(72%) years and mean duration of practice of one to ten years. Majority of the optometrists had good knowledge on various aspects of cataract. Like 98% had a good knowledge on the types of cataract. Based on skills, 75.5% could diagnose cataract correctly. However, 57.1% could not identify nuclear cataract. Practice among the optometrists was largely low in the sense that, 61.2% of optometrists did not screen patients aged 40 years and above for cataract. Almost half of the optometrists, 52.6% did a routine eye examination but did not know the importance of examining the crystalline lens for patient above 40 years. Conclusion The study established that despite the good level of knowledge among the optometrist on cataract, there exist gaps in skills in categorizing the type of cataract and practice. The results of this study calls for skills development training for optometrists on cataract and immediate ophthalmic division response for improvement on the scope of training for optometrists. This will eases diagnosis of cataract and its management so as to reduce its burden in Kenya.