Prevalence and causes of corneal blindness.

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to assess the prevalence and causes of corneal blindness in a rural northern Chinese population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS OR SAMPLES

The cluster random sampling method was used to select the sample.

METHODS

This population-based study included 11 787 participants of all ages in rural Heilongjiang Province, China. These participants underwent a detailed interview and eye examination that included the measurement of visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy and direct ophthalmoscopy. An eye was considered to have corneal blindness if the visual acuity was <9/18 because of corneal diseases.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measure was prevalence rates of corneal blindness and low vision.

RESULTS

Among the 10 384 people enrolled in the study, the prevalence of corneal blindness is 0.3% (95% confidence interval 0.2-0.4%). The leading cause was keratitis in childhood (40.0%), followed by ocular trauma (33.3%) and keratitis in adulthood (20.0%). Age and illiteracy were found to be associated with an increased prevalence of corneal blindness.

CONCLUSION

Blindness because of corneal diseases in rural areas of Northern China is a significant public health problem that needs to be given more attention.