AIM: To study the trends of major causes of visual impairment(VI) in adults in Sichuan,China and evaluate the effect of aging on the trends. ·METHODS: We used data from the National Sample Survey on Disabilities(NSSD) in Sichuan province conducted in 1987 and 2006. The age-adjusted prevalence of major causes of VI and the prevalence stratified by age in each cause were calculated and compared. The association between age and each cause of VI was also analyzed.·RESULTS: Retinal disease increased and became the second leading cause of VI in 2006 while blinding trachoma decreased markedly. Cataract and non-trachomatous corneal diseases were among the leading causes of VI in both years. We found associations between age and causes of VI,with age showing the strongest association with cataract and relatively lower associations with other causes. · CONCLUSION: In the last two decades,dramatic changes occurred in the major causes of VI with significantly increased retinal disease and decreased blinding trachoma. Aging of the population might be an important factor accounting for the changed trends of VI. Understanding the prevalence of VI,its major causes and trends over time can assist in prioritizing and developing effective interventional strategies and monitoring their impact.
AIM:To compare the bacterial flora in palpebral conjunctiva of xerophthalmia seniors of Tibetan,Yi and Han,and analyze the differences and similarities of the bacteria.·METHODS:The test subjects were selected from 2Tibetan,2 Yi and 3 Han populated places,respectively.Total 222 seniors(444 eyes) with dry eye were examined.Secretion was collected from the palpebral conjunctiva of the subjects and then inoculated onto a blood agar plate.After 48h of incubation,the bacteria were examined for the differences and similarities between different ethnics.·RESULTS:There was no significant difference(P >0.05)of Gram stain characterization,dominant bacteria and number of the bacterial species present in oxrophthalmia patients among Tibetan,Yi and Han nationalities.The bacteria presented in all groups include staphylococcus epidermidis,corynebacterium,micrococcus luteu,int-racellular bacteria sphingomonas,pseudomonas aerug-inosa.The bacteria detected from the two of three ethnic groups were staphylococcus aureus,staphylococcus haemolyticus,escherichia coli,kytococcus sedentarius,streptococcus angina,micrococcus lylae,and staphy-lococcus heads.The incidence rate of bacteria-associated dry eye in Tibetan population was significantly lower than that of Han and Yi population.·CONCLUSION:There is no significant difference in the bacteria flora of palpebral conjunctiva observed among dry eye elder populations of Tibetan,Yi and Han people.All of staphylococcus epidermidis,corynebacterium,micrococcus luteu,intracellular bacteria sphingomonas,pseudomonas aeruginosa,staphylococcus aureus,staphylococcus haemolyticus,escherichia coli,kytococcus sedentarius,streptococcus angina,micrococcus lylae and staphylococcus heads are common bacteria flora of the three nationalities inhibiting in this area.
