Wong Tien Y, Hyman Leslie
Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Am J Ophthalmol. 2008 Nov;146(5):656-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2008.07.048.
To review major findings of population-based studies in ophthalmology, to summarize key questions, and to highlight future directions for this study design.
Summary and critical analysis of major population-based studies in eye diseases.
Literature review and interpretation.
In the last 30 years, there have been many population-based studies in ophthalmology conducted in the United States and other countries around the world. These studies have provided information on the epidemiology of visual loss and the major eye diseases associated with visual loss; the risk factors; and the socioeconomic burden of eye disease. Population-based studies remain the most valid to determine the prevalence and incidence of a disease, and the population-attributable risk of new risk factors, including the interaction of genetic markers with systemic and environmental factors. Repeated surveys over time may also demonstrate impact of preventive strategies.
Population-based studies have provided substantial data on the frequency and impact of the major eye diseases in the community. This study design will continue to have an important role in addressing key questions of why eye diseases occur, who is at highest risk, and what preventive and therapeutic strategies are necessary to eliminate these diseases.
回顾眼科基于人群研究的主要发现，总结关键问题，并突出该研究设计的未来方向。
对主要的眼科基于人群研究进行总结和批判性分析。
文献回顾与解读。
在过去30年里，美国及世界其他国家开展了许多眼科基于人群的研究。这些研究提供了有关视力丧失的流行病学以及与视力丧失相关的主要眼病、危险因素和眼病的社会经济负担等信息。基于人群的研究仍然是确定疾病患病率和发病率以及新危险因素的人群归因风险（包括基因标记与全身和环境因素的相互作用）的最有效方法。随着时间的推移进行重复调查也可能证明预防策略的影响。
基于人群的研究提供了关于社区主要眼病的频率和影响的大量数据。这种研究设计在解决眼病为何发生、谁的风险最高以及需要哪些预防和治疗策略来消除这些疾病等关键问题方面将继续发挥重要作用。
