The journey to becoming one of Sub-Saharan Africaā€™s leading specialist eye hospitals began in 2009 with the launch of Upper Hill Eye and Laser Centre (UHEAL). Located at Upper Hill Medical Centre in Nairobi, UHEAL was established as a state-of-the-art eye diagnostic center, featuring an ultramodern eye surgery theatre to provide advanced vision care in Kenya.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kibata Githeko, a specialist in Pediatric and Vitreo-Retinal Surgery, UHEAL recognized the urgent need for early intervention in diabetic eye complications. In partnership with the World Diabetes Foundation, UHEAL established an eye care foundation to provide essential services to underserved communities through outreach clinics.
To meet the growing demand for quality and affordable eye care, City Eye Hospital (CEH) was established along Ngong Road as an affiliate of UHEAL. Three years later, UHEAL acquired CEH, transforming the Upper Hill Medical Centre branch into CEHā€™s Appointment-only Clinic and the Ngong Road branch into CEHā€™s walk-in Main Hospital.
To enhance the availability of skilled eye care professionals in the region, City Eye Hospital (CEH) established a specialized training department. This rotational training center equips students with the latest ophthalmic techniques, starting with ophthalmic nursing students from Kenya Medical Training College (2017) and expanding to ophthalmology residents from the University of Nairobi (2019).
Recognizing the need for accessible, high-quality eye care beyond Nairobi, City Eye Hospital (CEH) expanded to Nyeri Town and Ngong Town. These new branches provide state-of-the-art eye care in a patient-friendly environment, ensuring more communities receive affordable and specialized vision treatment closer to home.
As a leading eye hospital in Kenya and East Africa, City Eye Hospital (CEH) continues to expand. Today, CEH operates three ultramodern facilities and a vision center, staffed by over 90 highly trained professionals, including retinal and cataract surgeons. The hospital performs 3,000ā€“4,000 eye surgeries annually, offering both routine and complex procedures. Additionally, CEH now runs an in-house Ophthalmic Training Programme, further strengthening eye care expertise in the region.