New Data Shows High Rates of Vision Problems Among Youth

Recent research from Kenya highlights a worrying trend: many young people are living with undetected vision problems, putting their education and long-term eye health at risk. A survey of high school students in Lurambi Constituency found that over half (73.9%) of teenagers had mild myopia, while a small but significant portion had moderate to high levels. Meanwhile, a broader population-based study involving 3,400 Kenyan children aged 5–16 reported that 2.4% suffered from visual impairment, with 62% of these cases due to uncorrected refractive errors—mostly myopia.
In Kakamega County, a school-based optometry outreach found that 7.4% of children (aged 4–17) had visual impairment, with three-quarters of those cases linked directly to uncorrected refractive errors.On top of that, a recent study among Nairobi high school students reported a 1.7% prevalence of keratoconus (a progressive thinning of the cornea), and another 3.8% were suspected of having the condition—of those affected, a large majority were unaware.
Eye-health experts warn that these trends could have serious implications. Uncorrected vision problems among school-age youth are linked to poor academic performance and reduced future earning potential: a report estimates that more than 86,000 Kenyan children have vision issues such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism. According to the Kenya Association of Opticians, myopia accounts for 67% of these cases among students, with hyperopia and astigmatism also present.
Health advocates are calling for stronger vision screening policies in schools, more regular eye exams, and greater access to affordable corrective lenses. They argue that investing in youth eye health is not just a matter of preventing vision loss—it’s a critical step toward improving education outcomes and future economic productivity.