If the data indicating that the country loses Sh23 billion annually from loss of eyesight among the population is true, then the government must take urgent measures to do something about this trend.

It is acknowledged that the health and well-being of citizens is a key driver of national wealth and also contributes to gross national happiness.

That is why it is disconcerting when experts warn that loss of eyesight is contributing to such a significant loss of income due to such challenges as absenteeism from work, reduction in incomes, increase in anxiety and compromising of a person’s and their family’s quality of life.

What is even more worrying is that this problem is hardly ever treated with the seriousness it deserves either by health service providers or employers. This calls for interventions at policy level so that the agenda of reducing the incidence of preventable blindness can be mainstreamed at the highest levels of government.

It is also possible that in the costing of the loss arising from poor vision, experts did not factor in how low vision contributes to traffic crashes. Although drivers and motorists have resisted proposed measures for retesting of their competence on the road, there is need for the government, at one point, to put its foot down and demand that all drivers and riders be tested for vision.

This will go a long way in reducing crashes arising from poor vision. This is especially important for those who drive for a living since they spend a considerable amount of time on the road.

But even in other professions, especially those related to industries, manufacturing and technology, the effect of workplace processes and equipment on eye health ought to be taken more seriously going forward. Experts should be encouraged to study the nexus between various professions and eye health and give recommendations that can be adopted as best practices.

A public awareness campaign will also be needed if what experts are saying — that 750,000 Kenyans have severe eye impairment — is to be addressed’

Those are far too many people and the Ministry of Health ought to develop a programme to reach out to them and offer them the care they need to improve their vision and their quality of life.