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.

Publication date

February 2, 2016

Authors

Li Z, Xu K, Wu S, Lv J, Jin D, Song Z, Wang Z and Liu P
Share this