More than 300 residents from Mandera and neighbouring Somalia and Ethiopia have undergone free eye surgery at a medical camp by well-wishers.
Nine hundred others from Somalia and Ethiopia received medication, referrals and glasses.
The camp has been conducted jointly with the county government for the last week.
Dr Stephen Nguku, an eye surgeon, said the high prevalence of blindness and eye problems in the area was a result of the long-distance and lack of eye clinics.
Speaking after the conclusion of the exercise, Nguku said the biggest problem associated with cataracts was old age but said other factors such as environment contributed.
Other factors include cancer, trauma, diabetes and accidents.
It is the most common eye problem in the area.
According to statistics, the prevalence rate in Northeastern currently stands at 1.6 per cent, while in the rest of the county it is between 0.5 and 0.7 per cent.
Daud Hirmoge from Safe Surgical Aid said the number of those who need the services was overwhelming and urged the government to prioritise eye primary healthcare for Kenyans.
Hirmoge said the distance to eye facilities was a challenge and the small problems could be corrected in minutes.
He encouraged donors and individuals to support such exercises because the cost compared to the impact was minimal.
“I appeal to other like-minded NGOs to visit these parts of the country. The numbers of those who need services are overwhelming, partly due to high levels of poverty where many can’t afford transport and treatment,” he said.
“As we look at the secondary interventions, there is a need to look at the primary interventions as an important component. This includes ensuring the people have enough knowledge such as ensuring children do not have vitamin A deficiency.”
Aden Godhana,70 a beneficiary of the programme, could not hide her joy after regaining her eyesight.
“I lost my eyesight 30 years ago and it has been a struggle. I have to be aided to go anywhere,” Godhana said.
“I have been forced to live with this until today when good Samaritans came to my aid. I thank God for this.”
Edited by Kiilu Damaris