Is optometry marketable in Kenya

Is optometry marketable in Kenya? For students contemplating their career paths, this question is crucial. Optometry, the healthcare profession dedicated to eye care and vision health, is indeed a relatively marketable course in Kenya. With an increasing awareness of eye health and a growing demand for vision care services, the need for qualified optometrists is on the rise. Different colleges offer optometry courses to meet this demand.

Demand for Optometrists in Kenya

Kenya faces a significant shortage of optometrists. According to a study published in BMC Public Health, the country has approximately 400 optometrists, whereas the World Health Organization recommends one optometrist per 50,000 people. This means Kenya requires about 951 optometrists to meet the standard, indicating a deficit of over 550 professionals. This gap highlights substantial employment opportunities for graduates in this field.

The salary for an optometrist earn in Kenya depend with experience and employment location. For instance, in Nairobi, optometrists typically earn between Ksh 55,160 and Ksh 95,172 per month, with an average salary of around Ksh 70,000, according to Glassdoor.

Employment Opportunities: Public vs. Private Sector

Optometrists in Kenya find employment in both the public and private sectors, though opportunities and conditions vary:

Public Sector:

Government Hospitals and Clinics: While all 47 county referral hospitals offer eye care services, only three provide comprehensive refractive error services, including the provision of spectacles. This limited integration suggests fewer positions for optometrists in public facilities. Additionally, the remuneration in the public sector is generally lower, with monthly salaries around Kes 30,000, compared to approximately Kes 50,000 in the private sector.

Private Sector:

Private Hospitals and Clinics: Institutions like Aga Khan University Hospital and Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital regularly seek optometrists . These facilities often offer better salaries and working conditions compared to public institutions.
Optical Retail Chains: Companies such as Optica and Baus Optical employ optometrists to conduct eye examinations and prescribe corrective lenses. Salaries in these organizations range from KES 40,000 to KES 100,000 per month, depending on experience and location .Glassdoor
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Organizations focusing on community health and vision care also provide employment opportunities, especially in underserved regions.

Salary Expectations

Optometry salary in Kenya depend on various factors, for instance, salaries for optometrists in Kenya vary based on factors such as experience, employer, and location:

Entry-Level: Approximately KES 52,000 per month.Glassdoor
Experienced: Up to KES 100,000 per month .Glassdoor

These figures indicate that optometry is a financially rewarding career, especially for those who advance their skills and gain experience.

Training and Education

To become a licensed optometrist in Kenya, one must complete a Diploma or degree in Optometry. The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) offers a three-year diploma program at its Nairobi campus. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C, with specific grades in English or Kiswahili, Mathematics, Biology, and Physics .Kenya Medical Training College

Challenges in the Field

Despite the promising prospects, the optometry field in Kenya faces challenges:

Urban Concentration: Most eye care services are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural populations underserved .PMC
Limited Public Sector Integration: The public healthcare system has yet to fully integrate optometrists, affecting job availability and service delivery in government facilities .BioMed Central
Resource Constraints: Some eye care facilities lack modern equipment and technologies necessary for comprehensive eye examinations .Kenya Education Guide