Visual impairment and spectacle coverage rate in Baoshan district, China: population-based study

Mengjun Zhu,Xiaowei Tong,Xiangui He,Jianfeng Zhu,Huijuan Zhao,Rong Zhao,Meiling Liu

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-311

Abstract

BackgroundTo investigate the prevalence and risk factors of visual impairment associated with refractive error and the unmet need for spectacles in a special suburban senior population in Baoshan District of Shanghai, one of several rural areas undergoing a transition from rural to urban area, where data of visual impairment are limited.MethodsThe study was a population based survey of 4545 Chinese aged (age: >60 years or older ) at Baoshan, Shanghai, in 2009. One copy of questionnaire was completed for each subject. Examinations included a standardized refraction and measurement of presenting and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as well as tonometry, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and fundus photography.ResultsThe prevalence of mild (6/12 to 6/18), moderate (6/18 to 6/60) and severe visual impairment was 12.59%, 8.38% and 0.44%, respectively, and 5.26%, 3.06% and 0.09% with refractive correction. Visual impairment was associated with age, gender, education and career, but not insurance . The prevalence of correctable visual impairment was 5.81% (using 6/18 cutoff) and 13.18% (using 6/12 cutoff). Senior people and women were significantly at a higher risk of correctable visual impairment, while the well-educated on the contrary. The prevalence of undercorrected refractive error (improves by 2 or more lines with refraction) was 24.84%, and the proportion with undercorrected refractive error for mild, moderate , severe and no visual impairment was 61.54%, 67.98%, 60.00% and 14.10%, respectively. The spectacle coverage rate was 44.12%. Greater unmet need for spectacles was observed among elderly people, females, non-peasant, and subjects with less education and astigmatism only.ConclusionsHigh prevalence of visual impairment, visual impairment alleviated by refractive correction, and low spectacle coverage existed among the senior population in Baoshan District of Shanghai. Education for the public of the importance of regular examination and appropriate and accessible refraction service might be helpful to solve the problem.

Highlights

To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of visual impairment associated with refractive error and the unmet need for spectacles in a special suburban senior population in Baoshan District of Shanghai, one of several rural areas undergoing a transition from rural to urban area, where data of visual impairment are limited
Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to fit the best model for independent variables in order to determine the predictive factors for visual impairment, correctable visual impairment and unmet need, respectively
In this study, 641 of the 5199 subjects aged≥60 years refused to participate in the examination and 13 were excluded of the remaining due to mental retardation, deaf, and mental disorders

Summary

Introduction

To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of visual impairment associated with refractive error and the unmet need for spectacles in a special suburban senior population in Baoshan District of Shanghai, one of several rural areas undergoing a transition from rural to urban area, where data of visual impairment are limited. Several population-based studies in China [7,8,9] have examined associations between refractive error and visual impairment. The Tehran Eye Study [10] showed that the visual acuity of 26.7% subjects was improved of at least 1 line, and 5.9% even of ≥ 4 lines via proper correction. Both individual and social costs of visual impairment due to refractive error are higher than that of cataract due to the early onset age of the former [11,12]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion