Abstract
Purpose :
To assess the effectiveness of a health examination center-based screening model in the detection and management of uncorrected refractive error (URE).
Methods :
In this single center cross-sectional study, individuals aged>=18 years undergoing routine physical examinations at a tertiary hospital from March 1 to April 30, 2017 were invited for refraction and eye disease screening. Presenting visual acuity, noncontact pneumotonometry, autorefraction and non-mydriatic fundus photography were assessed. Participants with a history of ocular surgeries, IOP>=24mmHg and abnormalities in the fundus photograph were excluded for the analysis. URE was defined as the spherical equivalence (SE) >+0.5D or <-0.5D with presenting visual acuity lower than 6/12 in the better eye. Spectacle coverage was calculated as [met need/(met need+unmet need) x100%]. Cost to identify a single case with suspected refractive error and URE of the screening was calculated.
Results :
Of the 5522 subjects enrolled, 4395 (mean age 57 ±13 years, 40.5% females) were finally went to analysis. Totally, 1574 (35.8%) myopes, 1119 (25.5%) hyperopes and 3009 (68.5%) astigmatisms were detected. The prevalence of URE was 7.24% (n=318) in present population, with a female, older individuals and myopes predominant. Spectacles was needed by 1235 (28.1%) participants (917 met need and 318 unmet need), presenting a spectacle coverage rate of 74.3%. The costs to identify a single case of suspected RE and URE were US$ 2.51 (US$ 1.60 to US$ 3.03), and US$ 32.1 (US$ 20.5 to US$38.7), respectively.
Conclusions :
URE is still a big public health challenge in urban adults in China. The integrated model of health examination centers-based refractive error screening greatly facilitates the contact with individuals with URE, as well as other ocular disease, at low cost. It may be an option for the improvement of refractive error service in Countries like China.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.