Research
Population-Based Survey of Refractive Error Among School-Aged Children in Rural Northern China- the Heilongjiang Eye Study
This cross sectional study was aimed at estimating the prevalence and associated factors of refractive error in school- aged children in a rural area of northern China.
The sample comprised of 1700 children of ages between 5 to 18 years, and of the 1700 participants, 1675 were eligible.
The prevalence of uncorrected, presenting, and best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or worse in the better eye was 6.3%, 3.0% and 1.2%, respectively.
The prevalence of myopia was 5.0% (84/1675, 95% CI, 4.8%–5.4%) and of hyperopia was 1.6% (27/1675, 95% CI, 1.0%–2.2%).
Astigmatism was evident in 2.0% of the subjects. Myopia increased with increasing age, whereas hyperopia and astigmatism were associated with younger age. Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism were more common in females.
The study also found that prevalence of refractive error was associated with education.
Myopia and astigmatism were more common in those with higher degrees of education.
Although the prevalence of refractive errors is lower in the population, the unmet need for spectacle correction remains a significant challenge for refractive eye-care services.
Abstract: The prevalence of refractive error in the north of China is unknown. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of refractive error in school-aged children in a rural area of northern China.