Prevalence of low vision and blindness in defined populations in rural and urban areas in Xinjiang

Abstract

Objective To survey the types of disease and prevalence of low vision and blindness in rural and urban areas in Xinjiang,and to provide the basis for the prevent and treatment of blindness. Methods Cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting individuals in Urumqi and Kuche county of Xinjiang.A survey of visual acuity and ocular status was performed on total of 8295 individuals.The prevalence of blindness and low vision was calculated based on the WHO blindness criterion. Results The prevalence of bilateral low vision and blindness was found to be 5.26％ and 2.51％; Male bilateral low vision and blindness was found to be 5.47％ and 2.75％; Female bilateral low vision and blindness was found to be 5.10％ and 2.33％; Subjects over 60 years old and over 70 year old had a significantly higher prevalence of blindness and low vision. Conclusions With significant difference of the prevalence of blindness and low vision between rural and urban areas,the causes leading to blindness and low vision are,in falling order,cataract,glaucoma,retinal diseases,ocular surface disease and others,the treatment of cataract is the main measure to decrease the prevalence of blindness and low vision both in rural and urban areas. Key words: Low vision; Blindness; Prevalence; Epidemical survey