Study Identifies Alarming Vision Problems in Teens

New research out of Lurambi Constituency in Kakamega County is raising concern among eye-health experts about worsening myopia and gaps in vision care among teenagers. In a study of 115 teenagers attending local clinics, nearly 70% demonstrated good basic knowledge of myopia control strategies, but only 47.7% actually use them. The limited understanding is most pronounced for more effective interventions—such as progressive segmented spectacles and eye drops—suggesting that many youth are missing out on the best available options.
A related study in the same area found that near-work activities (like long hours of reading or classwork) are strongly associated with myopia among Kenyan teens. The authors argue that modifiable behaviors—such as balancing screen time and studying with outdoor activity—could help curb the progression of myopia, particularly in a low-resource setting.
Adding to concerns, another survey on contact lens uptake among those with myopia (aged 8-19 years) showed that only 17.6% of teenagers use lenses. Barriers include fear of eye injury, limited information about lenses, and a shortage of eye-care professionals who can support lens wear.
Eye-health professionals are calling for stronger public awareness campaigns, better school-based vision screening, and increased access to eye-care services. They stress that understanding and adopting myopia control strategies early could protect teens from long-term complications like retinal detachment and glaucoma.