The prevalence and causes of visual impairment among ethnic Tujia adults in a rural community in China

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI) in an elderly Tujia ethnic rural population in Southwest China. From June 1 to December 31, 2018, a random cluster sampling survey was conducted among Tujia individuals aged 50 years or older in the rural areas of Qianjiang District County in Chongqing. The sampling design used village-based clusters of approximately equal size (1000 people). The sampling frame was composed of 110 clusters including 26,527 adults aged 50 years or older; 10 clusters (2556 adults) were randomly selected, and 2122 subjects were examined. Ophthalmologic examinations and questionnaires were administered to all the participants. Low vision and blindness were defined using best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and presenting visual acuity, according to The World Health Organization standard. The prevalence of VI was estimated, and causes of VI were identified. The participation rate was 83.0%. The prevalence of VI was 15.2% (BCVA 8.0%). In the study population, the prevalence of low vision and blindness increased with age ( P < .05) and was higher among those with a low education level ( P < .01). The majority of VI was attributed to cataracts (50.0%) and uncorrected refractive error (35.7%). With BCVA, cataract (79.3%) was the most common cause of VI, followed by age-related macular degeneration (10.7%). The main causes of VI in Tujia ethnic were cataracts and refractive errors. Both cataracts and refractive errors are curable eye diseases; thus, local health institutions need to adopt a more active eye care project as a strategy to prevent blindness.

Visual impairment and its associated factors among medical and health sciences students at the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

“…The current study revealed that the magnitude of VI among medicine and health science students was 12.5% (95% CI: 10.21, 15.31%), which is comparable with a study done on adults in China (15.2%) [ 33 ], and Saudi Arabia (13.9%) [ 34 ], (14.90%) [ 35 ], respectively. However, the finding of this study was higher than the prevalence reported in Ghana 5.8% [ 36 ], Nigeria (5.02%) [ 37 ], (3.5%) [ 38 ], USA (7.5%) [ 39 ], Malaysia (8.9%) [ 40 ] and china (2.7%) [ 41 ].…”

Epidemiology, health policy and public health implications of visual impairment and age-related eye diseases in mainland China

“…There is known variability in the etiologies included in the definition of VI; this heterogeneity can influence the incidence and prevalence rates. The leading causes of VI have been reported to be cataract, uncorrected refractive error and posterior segment disorders including age-related macular degeneration, myopic macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other optic nerve atrophy ( 16 , 18 ). Twenty-seven articles were reviewed in total; refractive error constituted a VI factor in 25 studies, cataract in 23 studies, posterior segment disorders in 17 studies and glaucoma in 9 studies, respectively.…”