title: [Establishment of a primary eye care network and creation of a cataract-free zone in Shunyi County of Beijing].
abstract: Based on the epidemiological survey of eye diseases in 1985, a primary eye care network was established in Shunyi County of Beijing in 1987. Cataract surgery was the primary measure for the prevention of blindness, with the aim of creating a cataract-free zone in the county. The activities included (1) establishment of a County Guiding Committee for the prevention of blindness; (2) establishment of a 3-levelled primary eye care network and a referral and monitor system; (3) training of 7 ophthalmologists, 449 eye care workers and 6 optometrists; (4) extensive publicity of knowledge for the prevention of blindness; (5) screening of low vision and blindness in which 815 cataract blind patients were identified; and (6) conducting benefit ophthalmic counselling services. Up to December, 1991, 667 cataract operations were performed, representing 81.84% of the total cataract blind, to meet the qualifications of a cataract-free zone. 90.64% of the blind were restored sight and 59.16% of the blind were able to resume work. Operative infection occurred in none and 97.42% of the operations had no complication.
authors.affiliation: PUMC Hospital, Beijing.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Q N
authors.initials: QN
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002681:China; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011322:Primary Prevention