Prevalence and Causes of Low Vision and Blindness in a Rural Chinese Adult Population The Handan Eye Study

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness in a rural population in Northern China. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A study of 6830 Han Chinese aged 30 years and older was conducted between October 2006 and October 2007 in rural Yongnian County in Handan, Northern China. METHODS: Clustered samples of adults aged 30 years or more residing in 13 residential villages were selected randomly and were invited to participate the Handan Eye Study. Participants underwent a comprehensive eye examination, including standardized visual acuity (VA) tests using logarithm of the minimum angle resolution charts. Prevalence was age- and gender-st..