Eye Unit
The Eye Unit was established in 1975 as part of a collaborative effort between the hospital and Christoffel Bliden Mission (CBM), a German non-governmental organization (NGO).
In 1989 a new eye ward and theatre block were added, funded by CBM and EZE, that are charitable German organizations.
Later additions include two examination rooms, optical workshop, eye drop production unit, offices and a student hostel.The Kikuyu Eye Unit is the eye centre for Nairobi and a Referral centre for East African Region.
Over the years, the hospital has grown to its present status, with its patient roll getting longer than ever. It has reached a point where it handles between 70-80,000 patients a year.
Such has been the scope of the units work and importance to the entire hospitals operation that PCEA Kikuyu is generally acknowledged as an Eye hospital. This is due to the brand pull of the Eye Unit and the work it has done and the recognition achieved over the years, sometimes at great odds. Even then, there is still a vague awareness in some quarters about the entire range of services at this clinic and the rest of the hospital as a whole.
It is the only unit in Kenya which has a Low Vision Department.
Proper and accurate diagnoses are the key to an effective treatment and management. We boast to have a wide range and modern methods of clinical diagnostic equipment. These include machines as shown above. All our surgeons are registered LASER surgeons. We carry out laser treatment for diabetic retinopathies, and Nd- Yag laser for after-cataract capsular opacities.
1. Clinics
Patients get examined in our clinic examination rooms. There are nine examination rooms, ensuring that there adequate number of clinicians to attend to our large number of clients that visit us every day. The clinic attends up to 60 000 clients per year.
Proper and accurate diagnoses are the key to effective treatment and management. We boast to have a wide range and modern methods of clinical diagnostic equipment. All our surgeons are registered LASER surgeons. We carry out LASER treatment for diabetic retinopathies, and Nd- Yag laser for after-cataract capsular opacities.
2. Express Clinic
The express clinic caters for those clients that would want to take the shortest time in the unit, yet receive optimum care. The clients come by appointments and are seen by the ophthalmic consultants of their choice. The clinic runs from Monday to Friday mornings. To make appointments, the telephone numbers are; 020-2044765-8, or 0720 366209.
3. Clinical Services
1.General Ophthalmic Services
Screening and treatment of uncomplicated cases done by ocos
Referrals are sent to general ophthalmic consultants
Advanced referrals to specialists
Our Oco-cataract surgeons carry out most of the minor lid and ocular surface surgeries.
The General Ophthalmologist carry out a large number of cataract ,glaucoma and corneal surgeries including transplants and they are also attached to the specialized areas of their choice.
2. Specialist Available
- VITREO-RETINAL SERVICES- Attend to all vitreous and retinal cases including vitreous haemorrhages, retinal detachments, retinal diseases including age related macular degenerations, and diabetic retinopathies. We also screen for and treat DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
- OCULOPLASTIC SERVICES- Adnexal and Oculoplastic services - lid, lacrimal (tear drainage system) and orbital diseases.
- PEDIATRIC/SQUINT SERVICES attend to most pediatric diseases including. Congenital cataracts, congenital glaucomas, nasolacrimal diseases, low- vision, and squints(for both children and adults) etc etc.
Specialists to be developed
Anterior segment
Glaucoma
4. Low Vision Clinic
Low vision is a condition whereby the eyesight is reduced to an extent that a person is considered handicapped and not yet blind. With appropriate support the person can use the vision for execution of the visual tasks.
The unit works in close collaboration with Ministry of Education in Kenya, and Ministry of Health, Division of Ophthalmic Service [DOS].
Aim Of The Department
The general aim of the department is to ensure that children with low vision get opportunity to use their vision in the most effective way, so that they may live as independent as possible in the world of the sighted.
Objectives Of The Department
To achieve this aim the departments objectives are:
- All persons with visual impairment to be assessed.
- Deliver low vision services to enhance the vision of individuals.
- To conduct training for human resource personnel working with persons with low vision.
Activities In The Department
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Bridging the gap in low vision service delivery with other stakeholders especially the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health.
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Identification and assessment of persons with visual impairments in the low vision clinic at Kikuyu Eye Unit and during Outreach work.
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Organize medical and optical care for those in need.
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Provision of low vision devices to children who require them in special schools and integrated programme.
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Training persons in the use of low vision devices.
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Provision of guidance and counseling services.
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Provision of early intervention and visual stimulation services to young children with low vision.
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Sensitization of the teacher in regular school, where children with low vision are integrated, on how to handle them.
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Training on orientation and mobility, advice on Daily Living Skills and vocational guidance.
The child has delayed milestone, [delay in walking e.t.c.] so she is being taken through exercise to help her in balancing by the Rehab officer [Early Intervention]. Low vision looks at the child as a whole, and not just the eyes only.
5. Wards
The ward holds 76 beds. There are also private rooms that accommodate patients who opt to. There is an examination room in the ward. The room is equipped with a slit-lamp. A keratometer and A-scan for biometry.
6. Operating Theatre
The Eye Theatre is well equipped with modern eye surgical equipment. It boasts as one of the best equipped theaters in sub-Saharan Africa. We have modern general anesthetic machines, vitrector and Phaco-emulcification machines (LEGACY and LAUREATE), cryo, and LASER machines. We have modern operating microscopes to name a few. The theater can be used for high output cataract operations as it can have three operating stations run concurrently. The theater is being expanded to cater for our ever increasing demand especially, by the retinal, oculoplastic and pediatric sub-specialists. We perform well over 6,000 eye operations in a year.
7. Optical Workshop
This is the production unit for the Eye Unit. This is where different types of spectacles for patients attending the unit can are made and dispensed. Wide variety of normal quality and designer frames and lenses are available. Spectacles are handed at subsidized rates to certain categories of children and those with special needs.
8. Instrument Repair Workshop (IRW)
Almost all the instrument and equipment are maintained and repaired by our own trained staff. The IRW also receives requests for equipment repair from other eye centers in the country.
9. Drug Production
Most of the drugs used in the eye unit are produced internally at our drug production lab. We also produce some of the drugs rarely obtained even from commercial merchants, like antifungals - miconazole, antiseptics- like 2.5% povidone iodine and hypertonic salt solution.
10. Ocular Prosthesis
Recently introduced, the ocularist, in collaboration with the Dental department, where she is housed, is able to make custom- made artificial eyes. This is the first of its kind in the country. The ocularist receives patients requiring artificial eye prosthesis from all over the country. They work closely with our oculoplastic surgeon.
11. Outreach Services
Led by an outreach coordinator, the team does community base screening services to remote underserved areas of the country. They treat common ailments and dispense glasses, especially readers. The surgical cases identified are then referred to come to the base hospital, on a particular day, for surgery. The post surgical follow ups are done on subsequent rural visits. Such patients are partly sponsored by well- wishers and they meet only part of the surgical fees.
12. Training
We carry out in-service short courses in ophthalmic assistance, theater nursing and optometry. We also receive trainees from University of Nairobi, and Medical Training Center for ophthalmic surgical experience during their elective term.
Plans are in advanced stage to carry out sub-specialty attachments and fellowships training.
Plans are underway to start an Master of Medicine (MMED) in Ophthalmology programme, in collaboration with Presbyterian University of East Africa (PUEA).
13. The Standard Chartered Bank SEEING-IS-BELIEVING Campaign (The Nairobi Marathon)
The Standard Chartered Bank Kenya funds congenital cataract surgeries under their programme SEEING- IS- BELIEVING campaign. We encourage well-wishers to partner with us and support eye work to save and restore sight to the needy.
We also run a POOR PATIENT FUND whose source of funding is from friends of good will like you.
14. Guest Hostel
The guest hostel is well nestled in manicured gardens and offers, accommodation, a variety of meals, snacks as well as conference and seminar facilities.
Two fully operational seminar rooms are available at affordable rates. Guests can dine at the in-house restaurant or the attached terrace overlooking the hostel gardens.
The department also offers outdoor and outside catering services on request.
Eye unit hostel and cafeteria are open from 8.00am- 5.00pm and they serve a wide variety of healthy meals, snacks ,juices and also provide diabetic meals on request. The hostel has a bed capacity of 8 rooms which can be converted to shared room, private single or double room.
