Visual Health Challenges in China: Insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study
Key Findings from the Study on Vision Loss in China
The research on vision loss in China uncovered several important insights:
While vision loss rates are lower than the global average, there has been an increase in moderate impairment and blindness cases from 1990 to 2019.
Significant vision impairment is notably common among individuals aged 70 and older.
The primary causes of blindness include cataracts (the leading cause), uncorrected refractive errors, and glaucoma.
The blind population has grown by 64.35% due to aging and population growth, even with advancements in managing eye diseases.
There is a need for enhanced public awareness regarding visual health, especially in relation to cataracts and refractive errors.
Myopia is on the rise, particularly among children, attributed to increased screen time and reduced outdoor activities.
Regional differences in vision loss highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies.
The study acknowledges potential biases in data collection as a limitation.
Prevalence of Vision Impairment Among the Chinese Population
Extracts from International Journals Published 2019-2022
Eye Diseases in the Chinese and Non-Chinese Populations Worldwide
| Eye Disease | Non-Chinese | Chinese | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Eye Syndrome | 33.7% (Americans) | 31.4% | Aier Eye Institute, Wuhan China - 12/2021 |
| Diabetic Retinopathy | 11.5% (Malaya), 17.1% (Indian) | 18.8% | ARVO Journal, 09/2011 |
| Age-Related Macular Degeneration | 15.5% (Japanese) | 09.5% (Chinese American) | JAMA Journal, Sep 2026 |
| Early Presbiopia (Need Reading Glasses at 48 years) | 36% (Finland), 47% (Brazil), 09% (Tanzania) | 80% (Chinese American), 67% (Chinese) | Invest Ophthalmology Journal, July 2020 |
| Nuclear Cataract (Age 65-75 years) | 63% (Indian), 43% (Turkish) | 51.98% | Ophthalmic Epidemiology Journal, Sep 2020 |
| Myopia (Before age 10 years) | 42% (Singaporean), 18% (Australian), 11.98% (African, Ugandan) | 31% | EYE Journal, 02/2016 |
| Glaucoma (Narrow Angle) | 11% (Indians), 10.6% (Germans), 12.5% (Russians) | 26% | ARVO Conference, 2020 |
The table shows that Individuals in China face a high rate of myopia and various eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Early diagnosis is crucial for treating these conditions. Vision impairment remains a global issue. A study utilized databases like Google Scholar and PubMed, focusing on keywords related to eye health and conditions affecting Chinese patients.
Graph Showing Geographical Distribution and Global Burden of Eye Diseases in the Chinese Population
Graph Showing Geographical Distribution and Global Burden of Eye Diseases in the Chinese Population
