AIM: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for eye diseases, blindness, and low vision in Tibet, and to assist the development of eye disease prevention and treatment schemes.METHODS: We carried out a survey of eye diseases among a population living at high altitude. A total of 1 115 Tibetan permanent residents aged 40 years or older from the towns and villages of Qushui County, Lhasa Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, participated in this study. All participants completed a detailed questio-nnaire, and underwent presenting and pinhole visual acuity tests,and a comprehensive ophthalmic examination.RESULTS: There were 187 blind eyes (8.43%), 231 eyes with low vision (10.41% ). The leading cause of visual impairment was cataract of 55.0% (101/187) blindness and of 50.2% (116/231) low vision, followed by fundus lesions of 22.9% blindness and 23.8% low vision, while only a low prevalence of glaucoma of 9.6% blindness and 1.7% low vision was observed. The analysis of 2 219 eyes showed that the most common external eye disease was pterygium (27.2%) in Tibet.CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of blindness and low vision in the Tibetan population at high altitude is a serious public health issue. There is a need to establish and maintain an appropriate effective eye care program in Tibet.
Gui-Qin WangZong-Xi BaiJing ShiSang LuoHong-Fa ChangXiao-Yong Sai
Purpose:To assess the surface properties of modified hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOL) implanted in rabbits.Methods:.The hydrophobic acrylic IOLs were modified with monomer vinyl pyrrolidone by surface modification technique.Phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation was conducted in 9 rabbits (18 eyes).Postoperative responses were observed by slit-lamp microscope at 3,.7,.15,.30,.90 days after surgery.Results:.During the early stage after IOL implantation,corneal edema and anterior chamber fibrin exudation were observed.The exudate fluid was almost absorbed at the 15th day postoperatively.At 7th day,the anterior chamber exudation in the modification group was significantly less severe than that in non-modification group(P<0.05).Posterior capsular opacification occurred at 30th day after surgery and was aggravated90 days later.IOL dislocation was seen in 5 eyes and occlusion of pupil in 3 eyes.Conclusion:The hydrophobic acrylic IOLs with surface modification have improved surface properties and higher uveal biocompatibility.
