METHODS: A total of 3 695 children of 0-6 years old from preschool children in Binhu District received quickly check of eye's refractive status by using the SureSight automatic screening refractor, and determine the results by referring to the refractive screening referral standard norm for each age groups offered by the US Welch Allyn company. All participating preschool children have completed a vision screening and a comprehensive eye examination.

RESULTS: The total of abnormal rate was 9.76%, suspicious rate was 5.40% in vision screened children, along with the age increase, the abnormal and suspicious detection rates had a tendency to rise, differences in vision screening results of each age group were statistically significant(χ²=15.913, P=0.014), and differences between boys and girls had no statistical significance(χ²=7.200, P=0.066). The highest proportion of abnormal vision was astigmatism(13.89%, 17.96%, 17.62%, 11.50%), followed by hyperopia(0.35%, 1.91%, 3.60%, 8.86%)and anisometropia(0.69%, 0.67%, 1.64%, 2.07%)in different age groups. Hyperopia(4.38%), myopia(0.82%), astigmatism(15.65%), anisometropia(1.42%)and any refractive(0.466%), these five types in the distribution of various age groups. The prevalence of astigmatism in preschool children in 0-3 years old were 6.94%(95%CI: 4.90%-9.00%)and the 3-4 years old were 8.98%(95%CI: 7.80%-10.20%), the 4-5 years old were 8.81%(95%CI: 7.70%-9.90%), the 5-6 years old were 5.75%(95%CI: 4.80%-6.70%). The prevalence of astigmatism in different age groups had no statistical difference(χ²=0.872, P=0.929).

CONCLUSION: Astigmatism was the most common type of ametropia in preschool children, followed by hyperopia and anisometropia. Although no myopia was found, it confirmed the previous research that myopia was not formed at early age. Preschool children vision screening and eye care should be implemented regularly.