儿童眼病筛查的方法及其应用价值研究

目的研究对儿童眼病进行初步筛查的实用、便利的方法和工具。方法利用红光反射试验 (Bruckner Test)原理,使用特殊儿童验光仪,对门诊儿童眼科病人分别进行常规观察、眼病筛查检查,结合临床验证眼病筛查方法的使用价值。比较各种方法的效果。结果对于几种常见儿童眼病,通过典型病例观察,总结出可以应用眼病筛查实践的、特异性儿童眼病眼部图像改变。就筛查的有效性分析,PR-2000筛查方法组敏感性为99． 8％,特异性为97．9％。就实用性分析,PR-2000筛查方法组的阳性预测价值为94．1％,阴性预测价值为99．9％。结论儿童眼病筛查是一种简单快捷的眼病筛查手段,能够早期发现许多儿童眼部异常。可以用作儿童眼科的常备工具,也可以用于初级儿童眼保健。     

新疆喀什地区脑瘫儿童青少年视觉障碍特征分析

目的：首次全面精准分析新疆喀什地区脑瘫儿童青少年的视觉障碍特征和治疗情况,促进其视觉康 复和全身康复的早期开展。方法：横断面调查研究。选取2018年10月于新疆维吾尔自治区喀什地 区某综合医院集中行眼部筛查的脑瘫儿童青少年,对其进行眼科检查,包括屈光状态、眼位、眼前 节和眼底检查,并调查其眼科治疗情况。采用卡方检验对数据进行分析。结果：纳入176例脑瘫儿 童青少年,年龄0.8～12（6.4±2.7）岁,其中0.8～6岁有97例（55.1%）,维吾尔族169例（96.0%）,男 性104例（59.1%）。存在视觉障碍人数105例（59.7%）,3例（1.7%）同时伴有2种视觉障碍,视觉障碍 的发生率为108例（61.7%）,包括屈光不正（48例,27.3%）、斜视（43例,24.4%）和其他眼部疾病（17 例,9.7%）。所有脑瘫儿童青少年屈光不正以远视为主（20例,11.4%）,斜视以外斜视最常见（25例, 14.2%）,占比最高的前3种其他眼部疾病是视神经萎缩、先天性白内障和先天性青光眼,均为4例 （2.3%）。仅27例（15.3%）脑瘫儿童青少年以往接受过眼科检查,剩余149例（84.7%）均为第1次接受 眼科检查;105例视觉障碍者中仅6例（5.7%）以往接受过眼科检查。所有脑瘫儿童青少年近视发生 率为9.7%（17例）,不同性别、年龄段、民族以及是否斜视之间近视的发生率差异没有统计学意义。 结论：脑瘫儿童青少年视觉障碍发生率高于同年龄段儿童,且斜视发生率非常高。这也提示在脑瘫 儿童青少年中普及眼健康筛查的迫切性和重要性,可作为今后开展脑瘫患者康复工作的重点内容之 一。     

2010年上海市宝山区小学生屈光不正和视力损伤的患病率调查

背景 流行病学调查表明,青少年视力损伤是一个全球性的公共卫生问题,其首要原因是未矫正的屈光不正,因此一定规模的流行病学调查对儿童屈光不正的矫正具有重要意义.目前尚缺乏上海市大规模儿童视力损伤和屈光不正的流行病学调查资料. 目的 调查上海市6 ～12岁小学生视力损伤与屈光不正的患病情况.方法 采用横断面调查研究设计,于2010年5月至2011年4月分层随机整群抽取上海市宝山区6所学校的4 686名小学生进行研究,眼部检查包括视力、外眼、眼前节、屈光间质、眼底和眼压检查,并记录睫状肌麻痹后电脑验光的结果和眼位.结果 实际受检学生4 594人,应答率为98.0％,接受睫状肌麻痹后验光者3 975人,占84.8％.双眼裸眼视力≤0.5者占14.4％（662/4 594）,其中343人配戴眼镜,占51.8％.所有受检者中,任一眼裸眼视力≤0.5者1 031人,占22.4％.受检的视力损伤者中屈光不正占96.9％（999/1 031）,弱视占3.6％（37/1 031）.接受睫状肌麻痹后验光的小学生中,近视、远视和散光的患病率分别为31.1％、4.3％和33.0％.公办学校的小学生近视患病率高于外来务工随迁子女学校的学生,差异有统计学意义（x2=5.46,P=0.02）.Logistic回归分析显示,年龄和女生与近视的发生及发展明显有关（年龄：OR=1.60,95％ CI：1.53 ～ 1.68,P＜0.01;女生：OR=1.33,95％CI：1.16～1.54,P＜0.01）. 结论 中国上海市小学生视力损害的主要原因是近视,应注意筛查并提高小学生屈光不正的矫正覆盖率.     

中国山西334例“百万贫困白内障患者复明工程”手术效果分析

目的：了解中国山西省贫困白内障患者术后视力、视功能和生存质量的变化,分析贫困白内障患者手术成本／效果。方法：采用回顾性方法,对334例334眼接受贫困白内障复明手术的患者进行基本情况、术前及术后1 wk视力、术中并发症、术后并发症的病历采集及现场调查,对其中83例进行视功能和生存质量调查,225例贫困白内障患者和120例非贫困白内障患者进行手术成本／效果的对比分析,使用多重线性回归模型及 Logistic回归模型进行术后视力影响因素分析。结果：患者术后1 wk视力明显高于术前视力（ P＜0．05）,其中术后1 wk视力≥0．5的为235例（70．4％）、视力＜0．05的为16例（4．8％）。多重线性回归分析显示,眼部其他疾病、白内障分类是术后视力的影响因素。 logistic回归分析显示,术前视力低、眼部有其他疾病是术后低视力的危险因素,其OR值及其95％CI依次为6．5（2．8－14．8）和1．3（1．0－1．6）。术后视功能以及生存质量均高于术前。贫困白内障患者手术成本／效果低于非贫困白内障。结论：贫困白内障患者术后视力、视功能明显提高,且手术成本低,显著改善了生活质量。     

视力检查在眼病筛查中的作用

视力检查是许多致盲性眼病基层筛查工作的第一步。目前我国儿童人群视力损伤的初步筛查主要由教育机构中的保健老师完成,一直沿用的是以裸眼远视力检查结果为基础的视力不良标准。但该标准并不符合儿童视力发育规律,且可能导致大量已接受正确屈光矫正的患儿重复筛查、诊断和治疗,不符合筛查试验的基本原理。在成年人群基层眼病筛查工作中仍存在只检查裸眼视力的状况。建议对学龄前儿童的视力筛查界值参考我国新的弱视诊断标准而制订;综合裸眼、日常和矫正视力指标来全面了解儿童视力情况;加速儿童保健专业、小儿眼科和视光学专业在儿童视力检查工作上的并轨。在成年人群中,推行日常生活视力指标进行成年人群视力损伤的筛查,并根据所筛查的特定眼病来确定视力检查的具体方案。     

SpotTM视觉筛查仪在儿童斜视筛查中的应用

目的：探讨SpotTM在儿童斜视筛查中的可配合性及在斜视性弱视危险因素筛查中的筛查效率。方法：横断面研究。2015 年7-10 月在天津和平新世纪妇儿医院保健科体检的389 例儿童先后进行SpotTM及小儿眼科医师检查,依据SpotTM内设眼位异常推荐值确定出需要转诊的儿童,小儿眼科医师依据2013 年美国斜视与小儿眼科协会规定的视觉筛查转诊指南确定出具有斜视性弱视危险因素的儿童,最终评估SpotTM在斜视性弱视危险因素筛查中的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值。结果：389 例儿童入组,平均年龄（6.0±2.3）岁。97.4%的儿童能配合SpotTM检查,无法配合SpotTM检查直接转诊的10例儿童中7例患有眼部疾病。小儿眼科医师确定38例（9.8%）具有斜视性弱视危险因素;经SpotTM筛查,确定需转诊的眼位异常者49 例（12.6%）。SpotTM在斜视性弱视危险因素筛查中敏感度71.0%,特异度93.7%,阳性预测值55.3%,阴性预测值96.8%。结论：大多数儿童可配合SpotTM的检查,SpotTM在斜视性弱视危险因素的筛查中具有一定的临床应用价值。     

500名年幼儿童视力筛查及视力异常的原因分析

〕目的：为了了解年幼儿童的视力状况，分析视力异常的原因，为早期防治提供依据。方法：用字母匹配法对温州市区５００名３～４岁幼儿进行视力筛查，并对视力异常者进行眼科屈光检影。结果：视力异常率为１４．４％，视力筛查与眼科符合率达１００％。结论：幼儿的视力问题不容忽视，字母匹配法筛查视力，应作为常规的幼儿入园体检指标之一，应及早地在幼儿中开展用眼卫生宣教。     

智障儿童眼部筛查结果与分析

目的 通过对温州地区特殊学校就读的智障儿童进行眼部健康筛查,了解智障儿童的眼部健康问题,分析相关因素,以提供相应的视觉矫正和治疗措施,及探索如何为智障儿童的眼部健康提供有效的服务.方法 调查研究.对在温州地区特殊学校就读的342名智障儿童进行眼部健康筛查,内容包括：一般信息、视力检查、眼位检查、色觉检查、眼前段检查、内眼检查以及屈光不正检查.采用Excel软件对数据进行整理、归纳和求百分比.并针对存在的视觉问题作出相应的分析和医学处理.结果 筛查患儿智力残疾为轻度至中度,心理与情绪等适应能力轻度或中度障碍,能参与部分社区活动.眼科检查发现,正视眼占46.6%,屈光不正均以低度屈光不正状态为主,大部分能通过眼镜矫正达到5.0 眼位检查显示正位眼占67.2%,隐斜视占12.9% 色觉正常者占81.9%,色觉存在明显异常者占6.4% 外眼及眼前段检查未发现明显异常者占92.7% 内眼检查未发现明显异常者占81.1%.这些患儿眼部的异常主要是眼球震颤（占50.0%）和白内障（占28.3%）.结论 智障儿童的眼部问题现患率比普通儿童高,但还是以屈光不正、眼球震颤、白内障等为主,大多为可矫正和可康复的,可以通过眼镜、手术或视觉康复等提高视功能.     

500名年幼儿童视力筛查及视力异常的原因分析

目的：为了了解年幼儿童的视力状况，分析视力异常的原因，为早期防治提供依据。方法：用字母匹配法对温州市区５００名３￣４岁幼儿进行视力筛查，并对视力异常者进行眼科屈光检影。结果：视力异常率为１４．４％，视力筛查与眼科符合率达１００％。结论：幼儿的视力问题不容忽视，字母匹配法筛查视力，应作业常规的幼儿入园体检指标之一，应及早地在幼儿中开展用眼卫生宣教。     

儿童双目视力筛查仪在筛查先天性白内障中的应用

目的:探讨儿童双目视力筛查仪在先天性白内障中的应用。方法:本文为回顾性分析,选择2017年7月至2018年5月在厦门市儿童医院眼科的3个月至2岁婴幼儿336例(672眼),均由2个固定的医生分别采用小瞳孔红光反射及儿童双目视力筛查仪检查,同时详细记录病史资料。所有患儿均给予裂隙灯检查、复方托品卡胺散瞳后行眼底检查,对眼底无法窥人的者必要时给予眼部B超检查或眼部MRI检查,以排除眼底病变。结果:依据2009年出版的第5版《Harley’s小儿眼科学》的先天性白内障临床分类方法,本组病例中先天性白内障的类型依次为皮质(核)白内障27例(35眼),其中胚胎核2例(4眼),板层23例(29眼),核性2例(2眼);囊膜性白内障19例(28眼),缝合性白内障2例(4眼),极性白内障3例(6眼),全白内障2例(3眼)。儿童双目视力筛查仪筛查出先天性白内障的灵敏度为81.58%,特异度为79.87%,诊断符合率为80.06%;红光反射筛查的先天性白内障的灵敏度为51.32%,特异度为69.97%,诊断符合率为67.86%;两组结果比较均有统计学意义。儿童双目视力筛查仪对皮质(核)性白内障筛查率为97....     

Perceptions of Eye Health and Eye Health Services among Adults Attending Outreach Eye Care Clinics in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Purpose: To determine how people attending outreach eye care clinics in Papua New Guinea (PNG) perceive eye health and eye health services.

Methods: An interview-based questionnaire was administrated to a convenience sample of 614 adult participants across four provinces and perceptions of eye health and eye health services were recorded. Presenting and near visual acuity were measured and cause of visual impairment (VI) determined.

Results: In this sample, 113/614 participants (18.4%) presented with distance VI, 16 (2.6%) with distance blindness, and 221 (47.6%) with near VI. Older participants and those with near VI were more likely to indicate that it is hard to have an eye examination due to travel time, lack of transport and transport costs. Female participants and those from underserved areas were more likely to report shame and fear of jealousy from others when asked about their attitudes towards spectacles. Participants reporting that they were willing to pay higher amounts for testing and spectacles/treatment also reported higher education levels, higher household incomes and were more likely to be male. A quarter of participants (25.9%) indicated that they did not like having an eye examination because their reading and writing was poor.

Conclusions: People attending outreach eye care clinics in PNG reported finding it difficult to attend eye health services due to transport difficulties and anticipated high costs. Negative attitudes towards spectacles were also prevalent, and negative perceptions appeared more frequently among older participants and those with less education.     

Awareness of eye donation in an adult population of southern India. A pilot study

PURPOSE: To determine "awareness of eye donation" and corneal transplantation in an adult population of southern India. METHODS: 507 participants chosen by systematic random sampling were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Participants were selected among patients attending two community outreach programmes at different sites, and from patients presenting directly to the hospital. RESULTS: 257 participants (50.69%) were aware of eye donations. The major source of awareness was publicity campaigns (n=105). Only 22 (4.34%) participants were aware that eye donation had to be done within 6 hours of death. Four hundred and three (79.50%) participants were not aware of corneal transplantation. Illiteracy and rural residence were more likely predictors of ignorance. CONCLUSION: Although multiple strategies are currently followed to increase awareness of eye donations and corneal transplants, more innovative strategies have to be developed, especially to target illiterate and rural populations.     

Diabetic eye disease among adults in Fiji with previously undiagnosed diabetes

Background: To determine the prevalence and severity of diabetic eye disease among adults aged ≥40 years with unrecognized diabetes in Fiji. Design: Population‐based cross‐sectional survey using multistage cluster random sampling. Participants: 1381 (=73.0% participation). Methods: Interview‐based questionnaire; visual acuity measured; dilated ocular examination performed; glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration determined. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence and grade of diabetic retinopathy/maculopathy. Results: Sample prevalence of diabetes was 44.8% (95%CI 42.2–47.5%), with 63.4% (95%CI 59.5–67.1%) previously undiagnosed (384/606). Predictors of undiagnosed compared with previously diagnosed diabetes were female gender (P = 0.001), rural residence (P = 0.049) and not having a relative with known diabetes (P < 0.001). Twenty‐two retinae of participants with previously undiagnosed diabetes were unexaminable (predominantly cataract). Of the remaining 746 eyes, 3.5% (95%CI 2.4–5.1%) had diabetic retinopathy/maculopathy, 1 (0.1%) had proliferative retinopathy and 4 (0.5%) had active significant maculopathy. Of eyes with diabetic disease, two (7.7%, 95%CI 1.0–25.3%) had diabetes‐related vision impairment (3/60; 6/60). Sixteen previously undiagnosed participants (4.2%, 95%CI 2.5–6.7%) had diabetic disease evident in at least one eye: for four (all Melanesian women aged >50 years), this was vision‐threatening (1.0%; 95%CI 0.3–2.8). Mean HbA1c (10.7 ± 2.6%) of participants undiagnosed and with diabetes eye disease was higher (P < 0.001) than that of those undiagnosed and without. Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetic eye disease was low among this cohort, but where present, severe vision‐threatening retinopathy/maculopathy was relatively common. If diabetic eye disease is to be avoided or ameliorated in Fiji, then community awareness of and access to diabetes diagnostic services must improve, particularly for women and rural dwellers.     

Status of pediatric eye care in India

Purpose:

To document the status of pediatric eye care in India.

Materials and Methods:

A list of institutions providing eye care was compiled from various sources, including government officials, professional bodies of ophthalmologists, and national and international non-governmental organizations (NGO) working in the field of eye care in India. A questionnaire on eye care services was sent to all known eye care institutions in the country. Workshops and regional meetings were organized to maximize response. Validity of data was ensured by observational visits to 10% of the institutions who responded.

Results:

Out of 1204 institutions contacted, 668 (55.5%) responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 192 (28.7%) reported that they provided pediatric eye care services. A higher proportion (48.3%) of NGO hospitals reported separate pediatric ophthalmology units compared to other providers (P< 0.001). Eighty per cent of advanced care eye hospitals had dedicated outpatient, and 40% had dedicated inpatient facilities for children (P< 0.001). The advanced eye care hospitals attended to a larger number of pediatric clients (P < 0.001), and performed more pediatric eye surgeries compared to secondary and tertiary care hospitals (P < 0.001). Eighty- three per cent of advanced care centers and 72.4% of NGO hospitals had an anesthesiologist for pediatric eye service. Refractive error was the commonest reason for seeking service. The commonest surgical procedure was pediatric cataract surgery followed by squint surgery.

Conclusion:

Pediatric eye care services are not adequate in India.     

印度信息技术专业人员干眼症的研究

目的：研究信息技术( information technology,IT)专业人员的干眼患病情况及其与日常生活的相关性分析。
　　方法：收集2013-10/12印度南部金奈地区三个IT公司员工进行地横断面调查。入选标准：从事IT行业至少6 mo以上,年龄≥18岁,自愿参与研究并签署知情同意书。通过问卷调查和眼科检查收集相关信息,包括社会人口特征。采用 Schirmer's 试验进行干眼评估,所有结果应用SPSS 16.0统计软件进行分析。
　　结果：大约有五分之一的参与者( n=36,18%)疑患有干眼,平均年龄29岁( SD=7),并且大多数是男性,本科生/研究生,单身,住在城市的大家庭中。多风的环境显著地增加了红眼的患病率(P=0.04)及眼睛的灼热感(P=0.000)。看电视同样也能增加了眼睛的异物感( P=0.01),从而导致分泌物过多(P=0.02)。
　　结论：研究结果显示,许多日常活动比如看电视,使用电脑,读书,吹空调及多风的环境(干燥的环境)等都与干眼的症状相关。而且看电视及多风的环境更能加重干眼的一些症状。这项研究强调IT人群迫切需要多种方法和措施减轻干眼症。     

Eye Care Use Among Rural Adults in China: The Handan Eye Study

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the use of eye care services in a rural population in North China and to analyze the factors associated with underuse of these services.

Methods: In a cross-sectional population-based study, demographic, health and vision-related information including use of eye care services were determined during a face-to-face interview. A single visit to an eye care provider qualified as “use” of eye care services.

Results: Of 6612 participants, 754 (11.4%, 95% confidence interval, CI, 8.7–14.1%) had used eye care services. The most common reason cited for not seeing an eye care provider was “no need” (n?=?5754). Of the 5754 who thought that there was no need to see an ophthalmologist, 3458 (60.1%) were found to have one or more type of eye disease, including glaucoma (56, 1.0%), cataract (1056, 18.4%), age-related macular degeneration (AMD; 164, 2.9%) and refractive error (3048, 53.0%). Also, 74 (1.3%) and 409 (7.1%) of the 5754 participants had visual impairment (<20/60) according to best-corrected visual acuity and presenting visual acuity, respectively. In a multiple regression model, participants who had glaucoma (adjusted odds ratio, OR, 4.0, 95% CI 3.0–5.4), AMD (adjusted OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.3) or refractive error (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.8), were more likely to visit an eye care provider.

Conclusion: A high proportion of the Chinese rural population had never used eye care services although three fifths had eye diseases. Further efforts towards better education of the general population about common eye problems as well as increasing the number of ocular health providers would be necessary in future.     

Prevalence of myelinated retinal nerve fibres in adult Indians: the Central India Eye and Medical Study

Purpose:  To determine the prevalence of myelinated retinal nerve fibers in the adult Indian population. Methods:  The Central India Eye and Medical Study performed in rural Central India included 4711 participants aged 30+ years. The participants underwent a detailed ophthalmic and medical examination. Results:  Readable fundus photographs were available for 8645 eyes of 4485 (95.2%) subjects. Myelinated retinal nerve fibers were detected in 52 eyes (46 subjects) with a prevalence rate of 0.58 ± 0.08 per 100 eyes [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42, 0.74] and 1.03 ± 0.15 per 100 subjects (95%CI: 0.73, 1.32). Prevalence of myelinated retinal nerve fibers was significantly associated hyperopic refractive error (p = 0.008; OR: 1.31; 95%CI: 1.07, 1.59). It was not significantly associated with age (p = 0.11), best corrected visual acuity (logMAR; p = 0.33), intraocular pressure (p = 0.09), amount of nuclear cataract (p = 0.93), optic disc area (p = 0.60), presence of glaucomatous optic nerve atrophy (p = 0.62), and early age‐related macular degeneration (p = 0.53). Conclusions:  Myelinated retinal nerve fibers are present in about 10 out of 1000 adult Indians in rural Central India, with a higher prevalence in hyperopic eyes. Prevalence of myelinated retinal nerve fibers was not associated with age, visual acuity, glaucoma and macular degeneration.     

Perceptions and Understanding of Genetics and Genetic Eye Disease and Attitudes to Genetic Testing and Gene Therapy in a Primary Eye Care Setting

Background: Genetic eye pathology represents a significant percentage of the causes of blindness in industrialized countries. This study explores the level of understanding and perceptions of genetics and inherited eye diseases and the attitudes to genetic testing and gene therapy.

Methods: The study was conducted in two parts. Participant groups included were: undergraduate students of optometry, primary eye care professionals and members of the general public. A preliminary study aimed to understand perceptions and to explore the level of knowledge about genetics in general, eye genetics and gene therapy. A second survey was designed to explore attitudes to genetic testing and gene therapy.

Results: The majority of participants (82%) perceived genetics as an important science. However, none of them showed a high level of understanding of genetics and inherited eye diseases. Undergraduate students and primary eye care professionals were better informed about inherited eye diseases than the general public (p?=?0.001). The majority (80%) across all three groups had a positive attitude to genetic testing and gene therapy. There was a lack of knowledge about the genetic services available among all groups of participants.

Conclusion: This calls for serious thinking about the level of dissemination of information about genetics and inherited eye diseases. It shows a broadly supportive attitude to genomic medicine among the public. Improving public awareness and education in inherited eye diseases can improve the utility of genetic testing and therapy.     

Impact of Geographic Density of Eye Care Professionals on Eye Care among Adults with Diabetes

Objective: To examine the impact of the geographic density of eye care professionals (ECPs) on the receipt of annual dilated eye examinations among adults in the United States with diabetes.

Method: Data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were linked to the 2007 Area Resource File to examine the association between the density of ECPs (ophthalmologists and optometrists) per 100,000 people and self-reports of having had a dilated eye examination in the last year. The sample included adults aged 18+ years with diabetes (N = 29,495). Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to estimate adjusted odds ratios of annual dilated eye examinations, while controlling for age, sex, marital status and education, and stratifying by health insurance.

Results: Approximately 10% of respondents with diabetes lived in counties with no ECPs. Prevalence of being uninsured was 7.4% and 15.5% in those with and without dilated eye exams, respectively. After controlling for covariates and stratifying by health insurance, diabetic adults with health insurance cover residing in areas with no ECPs were less likely to report having had a dilated eye examination in the past year than those with 20 or more ECPs/100,000 people (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.58–0.91).

Conclusion: Residence in a county with a low density of ECPs reduced the likelihood of receiving annual dilated eye examinations among insured adults with diabetes. Enhancing the ability of ECPs to reach and care for those in need might better protect vision in people with diabetes. More research is needed to determine the mix of services that produces the best patient outcome.     

Attitudes towards and perceptions of visual loss and its causes among Hong Kong Chinese adults

BACKGROUND: As part of a study of visual function among Hong Kong Chinese adults, their attitudes and perceptions related to visual loss were examined. These included fear of visual loss, negative functional impacts of visual loss, the relationship between ageing and visual loss and help-seeking behaviours related to visual loss. Demographic factors associated with these variables were also studied. METHODS: The study population were people aged 40 and above randomly selected from the Shatin district of Hong Kong. The participants underwent eye examinations that included visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, visual field, slit-lamp biomicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy. The primary cause of visual disability was recorded. The participants were also asked about their attitudes and perceptions regarding visual loss using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of bilateral visual disability was 2.2% among adults aged 40 or above and 6.4% among adults aged 60 or above. Nearly 36% of the participants selected blindness as the most feared disabling medical condition, which was substantially higher than conditions such as dementia, loss of limbs, deafness or aphasia. Inability to take care of oneself (21.0%), inconvenience related to mobility (20.2%) and inability to work (14.8%) were the three most commonly mentioned 'worst impact' effects of visual loss. Fully 68% of the participants believed that loss of vision is related to ageing. A majority of participants would seek help and advice from family members in case of visual loss. CONCLUSIONS: Visual function is perceived to be very important by Hong Kong Chinese adults. The fear of visual loss is widespread and particularly affects self-care and functional abilities. Visual loss is commonly seen as related to ageing. Attitudes and perceptions in this population may be modified by educational and outreach efforts in order to take advantage of preventive measures.