Sightsavers trials technology to boost eye screening in Kenya

An innovative pilot using Peek Vision technology aims to improve eye health and ensure robust, continued care for people with visual impairments.

The technology will be used in Kenya as part of Sightsavers’ work with social enterprises to provide vision screenings, refractive error services and glasses to the people who need them. Peek’s app and data platform follows the patient journey from screening to treatment, and can help to identify where patients are being left behind.

Sumrana Yasmin, Sightsavers’ deputy technical director for eye health, said: “At Sightsavers, we’re keen to innovate our approaches to reach more people, and our eye health and refractive error strategies also focus on testing tech-based solutions for vision screening, diagnostics and data management. We’re excited to work with Peek to use technology to reach the most vulnerable population groups, improve access, ensure the continuum of care and leave no one behind.

“We anticipate that the adoption of Peek technology will lead to improved health system performance by using mobile devices with health workers and the existing health infrastructure to identify, refer and treat patients, support clinical decisions and provide services more efficiently. Peek’s technology will allow us to identify where patients are not getting follow-up services and that will help us to address any barriers that communities might be facing.

“I’m particularly excited about the fact that the use of Peek will help us further ensure that women, girls and people with disabilities in this project area, have access to high quality and timely eye care. We know that access to eye care creates a positive ripple effect for individuals, families and communities, allowing children to learn and adults to earn, as well as improving overall wellbeing.”

Farhana Rehman-Furs, Peek’s head of global partnerships, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to see how Peek’s technology and data insights can complement Sightsavers’ eye health programme expertise. We hope to learn a lot from the initial pilot in Kenya, and both organisations see potential in expanding our partnership to other countries in future.”