County Health Teams Screen Students for Vision Problems in Nairobi Schools

Nairobi County health authorities, in collaboration with the Kenya Association of Opticians and private-sector partners, conducted a comprehensive vision-screening drive for students in the city’s schools. The initiative, held on April 4, 2025, saw over 730 pupils and 92 school staff screened, with about 20 % of learners found to have reduced visual acuity and nearly one-third showing signs of other eye-related issues such as light sensitivity and allergies.
The screening campaign is part of a wider push to improve pupil wellbeing and school participation by identifying undiagnosed vision impairments that can hamper learning. According to the report, many students struggle academically because they simply cannot see the board properly—yet remain unaware of their condition. The programme included teacher training to spot early signs of eye problems, free onsite assessments, and referrals for corrective eyewear where necessary. Studies also suggest that according to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), one in twenty Kenyan children may have vision issues impacting educational attainment.
Reaction among school communities was largely positive. Principals reported that the screenings opened a crucial support channel for learners who had silently fallen behind. Parents welcomed the initiative, emphasising that cost and access to eye-care services have long been barriers for children from low-income families. However, observers highlighted challenges ahead: ensuring follow-up treatments, maintaining data on referrals, and extending coverage to schools in informal-settlement areas where resources remain limited.
Looking ahead, the county plans to scale the screening effort across Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties by the end of 2026, establishing permanent school-eye-health protocols and a network of trained vision-screening coaches. Officials aim to integrate vision checks into routine school-health services and establish partnerships with opticians and dispensaries for subsidised care. If sustained, the initiative could significantly reduce the number of Nairobi students held back by untreated vision problems and contribute to improved academic outcomes city-wide.