Blindness prevention and ophthalmic epidemiology studies in China have obtained greatest progress in the past five years since 2005. For example, the secondary sampling epidemiologic study of disabled persons in China in 2006 showed that the major causes of
blindness and vision impairment were
cataract (56.7%),
retinal and
uveal diseases (14.1%) and
corneal diseases (10.3%). Important
blindness prevention projects, such as "Sight first, China action" stage II project and "Free
cataract surgeries for one million poor patients" project, have achieved their goals. From 2005 to 2009, 3.871 millions of
cataract surgeries were performed in China, and the
cataract surgical rate increased to 796.2 per million population in 2009.
Cataract surgery obstacle-free areas have been built in 673 counties, 70 cities and 2 provinces since 2007. The visual performance of 175,501
low-vision patients have been improved by
low-vision aids, and 47,009 blind persons have been offered walk mobility training course. Furthermore, achievements and progress have been obtained in primary eye care, prevention and treatment for
trachoma, childhood
eye diseases and
diabetic retinopathy. These results has met the requirements established by Chinese government, but has not reached the goal of "Vision 2020". Certain problems still exist in China, including low
cataract surgical rate, major avoidable blinding diseases not eliminated, and lack of innovative and profound epidemiological studies. Future Chinese ophthalmic epidemiology studies may focus on original investigation and molecular research. In order to realize the goal of "Vision 2020" and eliminate avoidable
cataract blindness, all kinds of eye care services should be integrated, and various prevention and treatment strategies with low cost and superior quality for
cataract,
retinal diseases,
corneal diseases,
trachoma,
refractive error,
low vision, and
glaucoma should be used.