Eyes

Blindness is 10 times more common in Kenya than in the Western World. In the last ten years MEAK has helped over 6000 people see again.

Large numbers of children become blind due to a simple Vitamin A deficiency. Being blind means that the usual day to day struggle for subsistence and survival becomes ever more difficult; being blind renders individuals a burden on their families and unable to contribute to their communities.

Using local tribal scouts spreading the news that MEAK are in the area and offering solutions for eye problems (as well as other medical needs) means MEAK can reach people previously forgotten.

Remote Northern Kenya is where a lot of MEAK missions are carried out. Flies are abundant which can cause Trachoma a disease spread by eye-seeking flies. After years of infection and re-infection, scarring occurs on the inner eyelid causing the lid to turn inwards, making the eyelashes rub the eyeball with each blink. MEAK is dealing with this through surgery, antibiotics and stressing the importance of facial cleanliness; as well as encouraging environmental changes to diminish the exposure to flies.