Kaimosi Friends University's School of Health Sciences recently extended its commitment to community service and practical education by organizing a series of eye screening camps throughout Vihiga County. Spread over July and early August 2024, these camps have provided vital eye care services to a broad spectrum of the community, including staff at Kaimosi Girls High School and Muhudu Mixed Secondary School, County Government of Vihiga employees and ward representatives (MCAs), and members of the community.
These screenings, conducted as field training for second-year students of the Optometry and Vision Sciences programme, serve a dual purpose: they offer essential eye care to the community while providing students with invaluable hands-on training. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Emmanuel Okenwa-Vincent, Dean of the School of Health Sciences, and Mr. Phenard Odera, a lecturer at the school, the students engaged directly with patients, learning to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.
The outreach initiative reflects the University's dedication to corporate social investment, as it ensures that members of the community receive free eye screenings and remedies. By diagnosing and addressing vision issues, the School contribute to improving the quality of life for many individuals who might not otherwise have access to such services.
These services are not just a boon for the recipients but also provide the students with the kind of practical experience that is crucial for their professional development.
Optometry and Vision Science is a branch of healthcare focused on eye health and visual system care. It involves the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye diseases and visual disorders. Optometrists, the professionals in this field, are trained to provide comprehensive eye care, including prescribing glasses and contact lenses, detecting and managing eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, and offering therapeutic care for conditions like dry eye and binocular vision problems.
The degree programme is a five-year course of specialized education and training, churning out professionals whose role is more comprehensive than just correcting vision; they also play a critical role in identifying systemic conditions like diabetes or hypertension that can manifest in the eyes.
As the university continues to grow and evolve, initiatives like these demonstrate its commitment to both academic excellence and social responsibility, ensuring that the future generation of healthcare professionals is well-equipped to serve their communities with compassion and expertise.