[Prevalence of blindness among adults aged 50 years or above in Shunyi county of Beijing]

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of blindness among older adults aged >or= 50 years in Shunyi county of Beijing, China.

Methods: Cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting individuals aged >or= 50 years in 28 villages in Shunyi county in fall, 1996. The survey was preceded by a pilot study where operational methods were refined and quality assurance evaluation was carried out.

Results: 5,555 individuals were enumerated. The response rate was 91.5%. In this population, the prevalence of blindness was 1.7% defined as pinhole visual acuity < 0.05 in both eyes; or 2.8% were blind, defined as presenting visual acuity < 6/60 in both eyes. Blindness was associated with older age and female gender. The principal cause of blindness in eyes was cataract.

Conclusions: The prevalence of blindness was decreased 35.8% after ten year active eye-care program in the survey area. However, cataract blindness continues as a significant problem among elderly, especially females, in this population sample of rural area.