Abstract
The prevalence of blindness and low vision among adults aged ≥50 years in southern Jiangsu Province were surveyed and estimated. Cluster sampling was employed from January to September 2010 to randomly select 6,722 individuals aged ≥50 years in 28 clusters from southern Jiangsu Province. The survey was preceded by a pilot study, which refined operational methods and conducted quality assurance evaluation. Eligible individuals were registered for visual acuity measurement and eye examination. A total of 6,155 individuals were recruited, and a response rate of 91.50% was obtained. The prevalence of bilateral blindness and low vision were found to be 0.76% and 1.37%, respectively. Subjects with monocular blindness and low vision were 3.27% and 3.48%, respectively. Among the individuals evaluated, 201 were detected to have monocular blindness and 47 with bilateral blindness. In addition, 55 of the 201 subjects with monocular blindness were found to suffer from low vision of the other eye. Among the 295 subjects with blind eyes, 116 (39.32%), 31 (10.51%), and 28 (9.49%) were caused by cataract, high myopia macular degeneration, and atrophic eyeballs, respectively. In the 437 subjects with low-vision eyes, 223 (51.03%), 41 (9.38%), and 41 (9.38%) had cataract, high myopia macular degeneration, and age-related macular degeneration, respectively. Blindness and low vision are caused by descending cataract, age-related macular degeneration, high myopia macular degeneration, and atrophic eyeballs.
Highlights
Low vision and blindness are two of the most significant health and socioeconomic risks in Correspondence: May 24, 2013 July 5, 2013 July 16, 2013 July 18, 2013 developing countries
Blindness and low vision are recently reported to have affected approximately 5.8% Chinese adults aged older than 50 years.[2]
Guan[4] reported that the prevalence of blindness and low vision in adults aged ≥50 years were mainly caused by cataract, ocular fundus disease, refractive error, and cornea disease in Qidong City of Jiangsu
Summary
The large-scale eye disease epidemiological survey in China could be traced to the 1980s. Several epidemiological investigations on low vision and blindness were conducted in different provinces. Along with economic development, retinal diseases are the main reasons for blindness and low vision.[3] Southern Jiangsu Province is one of the most developed and wealthy regions in China. Guan[4] reported that the prevalence of blindness and low vision in adults aged ≥50 years were mainly caused by cataract, ocular fundus disease, refractive error, and cornea disease in Qidong City of Jiangsu. The present study assessed the prevalence and causes of blindness of people aged >50 years in this region. The study was performed to determine the primary reason for VI using a strictly epidemiological investigation method and baseline data for future eye care planning in southern Jiangsu Province were obtained
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
