[An epidemiological survey of blindness and low vision in Meixian County].

OBJECTIVE

To study the status of blindness and low vision in Meixian County.

METHODS

The stratified random sampling rule and the standard grading system of blindness set by WHO were adopted in the study, and 11 327 subjects were enrolled (a sampling fraction of 2.01%) in the whole county.

RESULTS

The prevalence of bilateral blindness and low vision was found to be 0.47% and 0.89%; that of monocular blindness and low vision was 0.72% and 0.59%, respectively. Subjects over 50 years old had a significantly higher prevalence of blindness and low vision. The causes leading to blindness and low vision were, in falling order, cataract, glaucoma, ametropia/amblyopia and pterygium.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of cataract is the main measure to decrease the prevalence of blindness and low vision.