Refractive errors and visual impairment among children and adolescents in southernmost China

Abstract Background Refractive errors and visual impairment in southernmost China have not been reported previously. We aim to investigate determine the age-specific prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, based on a large population cross-sectional study Hainan area tropical province China. Methods A population-based sample 31,524 children aged 6–15 years from was assessed. Non-cycloplegic autorefraction acuity (VA) analyses were performed all participants subgroup undergoing cycloplegia. Results Of participants, 23.0% presented uncorrected VA (UCVA) worse than 20/40 eye, 6.0% mild presenting (PVAI), 7.0% moderate PVAI, 0.2% severe PVAI better 46.9% abnormal UCVA [worse 20/25 (≥ 6, < 8 old) 20/20 older)] at least one eye. The overall myopia [spherical equivalent (SE) ≤ − 0.50 D] high (SE 6.00 D) 46.0%, 1.0% respectively. Hyperopia [SE ≥ + 1.00 D 7 SE 2.00 old)] significant hyperopia 3.00 4.2 0.6%, Astigmatism [cylinder 1.75 found 31.9%. Conclusions Myopia most common refractive error (Hainan). Its increased with age, while showed decreasing trend. However, especially much lower other urban regions across