Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, causes, and influencing factors of vision impairment in the elderly population aged 60 years and above in Mangxin Town, Kashgar region, Xinjiang, China. Located in a region characterized by intense ultraviolet radiation and arid climatic conditions, Mangxin Town presents unique environmental challenges that may exacerbate ocular health issues. Despite the global emphasis on addressing vision impairment among aging populations, there remains a paucity of updated and region-specific data in Xinjiang, necessitating this comprehensive assessment to inform targeted interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2024, involving 1,311 elderly participants (76.76% participation rate) out of a total eligible population of 1,708 individuals aged ≥60 years. Participants underwent detailed ocular examinations, including assessments of uncorrected visual acuity (UVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using standard logarithmic charts, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT, Topcon DRI OCT Triton), fundus photography, and intraocular pressure measurement (Canon TX-20 Tonometer). A multidisciplinary team of 10 ophthalmologists and 2 local village doctors, trained rigorously in standardized protocols, ensured consistent data collection. Demographic, lifestyle, and medical history data were collected via questionnaires. Statistical analyses, performed using Stata 16, included multivariate logistic regression to identify risk factors, with significance defined as P < 0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of vision impairment was 13.21% (95% CI: 11.37–15.04), with low vision at 11.76% (95% CI: 10.01–13.50) and blindness at 1.45% (95% CI: 0.80–2.10). Cataract emerged as the leading cause, responsible for 68.20% of cases, followed by glaucoma (5.80%), optic atrophy (5.20%), and age-related macular degeneration (2.90%). Vision impairment prevalence escalated significantly with age: 7.74% in the 60–69 age group, 17.79% in 70–79, and 33.72% in those ≥80. Males exhibited higher prevalence than females (15.84% vs. 10.45%, P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed age ≥80 years (OR = 6.43, 95% CI: 3.79–10.90), male sex (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34–0.83), and daily exercise (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.20–0.95) as significant factors. History of eye disease showed a non-significant trend toward increased risk (OR = 1.49, P = 0.107). Education level, income, and smoking status showed no significant associations. Conclusion: This study underscores cataract as the predominant cause of vision impairment in Mangxin Town’s elderly population, with age and sex as critical determinants. The findings align with global patterns but highlight region-specific challenges, such as environmental factors contributing to cataract prevalence. Public health strategies should prioritize improving access to cataract surgery, enhancing grassroots ophthalmic infrastructure, and integrating portable screening technologies for early detection of fundus diseases. Additionally, promoting health education on UV protection and lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise, may mitigate risks. Future research should expand to broader regions in Xinjiang, employ advanced diagnostic tools for complex conditions like glaucoma, and explore longitudinal trends to refine intervention strategies. These efforts are vital to reducing preventable blindness and improving quality of life for aging populations in underserved areas.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, causes, and influencing factors of vision impairment in the elderly population aged 60 years and above in Mangxin Town, Kashgar region, Xinjiang, China. Located in a region characterized by intense ultraviolet radiation and arid climatic conditions, Mangxin Town presents unique environmental challenges that may exacerbate ocular health issues. Despite the global emphasis on addressing vision impairment among aging populations, there remains a paucity of updated and region-specific data in Xinjiang, necessitating this comprehensive assessment to inform targeted interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2024, involving 1,311 elderly participants (76.76% participation rate) out of a total eligible population of 1,708 individuals aged ≥60 years. Participants underwent detailed ocular examinations, including assessments of uncorrected visual acuity (UVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using standard logarithmic charts, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT, Topcon DRI OCT Triton), fundus photography, and intraocular pressure measurement (Canon TX-20 Tonometer). A multidisciplinary team of 10 ophthalmologists and 2 local village doctors, trained rigorously in standardized protocols, ensured consistent data collection. Demographic, lifestyle, and medical history data were collected via questionnaires. Statistical analyses, performed using Stata 16, included multivariate logistic regression to identify risk factors, with significance defined as P < 0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of vision impairment was 13.21% (95% CI: 11.37–15.04), with low vision at 11.76% (95% CI: 10.01–13.50) and blindness at 1.45% (95% CI: 0.80–2.10). Cataract emerged as the leading cause, responsible for 68.20% of cases, followed by glaucoma (5.80%), optic atrophy (5.20%), and age-related macular degeneration (2.90%). Vision impairment prevalence escalated significantly with age: 7.74% in the 60–69 age group, 17.79% in 70–79, and 33.72% in those ≥80. Males exhibited higher prevalence than females (15.84% vs. 10.45%, P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed age ≥80 years (OR = 6.43, 95% CI: 3.79–10.90), male sex (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34–0.83), and daily exercise (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.20–0.95) as significant factors. History of eye disease showed a non-significant trend toward increased risk (OR = 1.49, P = 0.107). Education level, income, and smoking status showed no significant associations. Conclusion: This study underscores cataract as the predominant cause of vision impairment in Mangxin Town’s elderly population, with age and sex as critical determinants. The findings align with global patterns but highlight region-specific challenges, such as environmental factors contributing to cataract prevalence. Public health strategies should prioritize improving access to cataract surgery, enhancing grassroots ophthalmic infrastructure, and integrating portable screening technologies for early detection of fundus diseases. Additionally, promoting health education on UV protection and lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise, may mitigate risks. Future research should expand to broader regions in Xinjiang, employ advanced diagnostic tools for complex conditions like glaucoma, and explore longitudinal trends to refine intervention strategies. These efforts are vital to reducing preventable blindness and improving quality of life for aging populations in underserved areas.

目的：宏观了解2015—2020年中国眼科药物临床试验情况，为我国眼科药物的研发和临床研究提供最新数据参考，为相关决策提供依据。方法：自国家药品监督管理总局药物临床试验登记与信息公示平台登记数据库提取2015—2020年登记的眼科药物临床试验和相关试验药物信息，汇总分析眼科药物临床试验数量、试验分期、试验范围、适应证、药物类型等。结果：2015年1月1日至2020年12月31日共登记98项眼科临床试验。统计每年眼科药物临床试验登记数量，2020年登记的数量最多(28项，占28.57%)；申办方类型中，国内制药企业(75项，占76.53%)发起的眼科药物临床试验数量远高于外资制药企业(23项，占23.47%)；试验分期中，I期临床试验最多(35项，占35.71%)，III期次之(30项，占30.61%)；药物类型中，生物制品数量最多(55项，占56.12%)，化学药物次之(36项，占36.73%)。结论：近6年来，我国眼科药物临床试验进入蓬勃发展时期，尤其是眼底科领域，近2年发展迅速。在创新药领域，国内制药企业已成为眼科新药研发的中坚力量。但创新药大部分集中在眼底科领域，在青光眼、干眼等领域仍需要继续创新。

Objective: To get a macro understanding of the clinical trials of ophthalmic drugs in China from 2015 to 2020, provide the latest data reference for development of ophthalmic drugs and clinical research in China, and provide the basis for relevant decision-making. Methods: The number of clinical trials and related investigational products from 2015 to 2020 were acquired in the China Food and Drug Administration Registration and Information Disclosure Platform for Drug Clinical Studies. Characteristics on number, stage, scope, indications, type were summarized and depicted. Results: There were 98 ophthalmic clinical trials registered in China from January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2020. The year of 2020 hit the highest record of registered ophthalmic clinical trials for 28, accounting for 28.57%. Among sponsor, 75 (accounting for 76.53%) were initiated by domestic pharmaceutical enterprises, much higher than initiated by foreign pharmaceutical enterprises (23, accounting for 23.47%). Among stage, the quantity of phase I (35, accounting for 35.71%) was the largest, followed by phase III (30, accounting for 30.61%). Among type, the quantity of biological product was the largest (55, accounting for 56.12%), followed by chemical product (36, accounting for 36.73%). Conclusion: The past 6 years have seen vigorous growth of ophthalmic clinical trials, particularly in the last 2 years in the field of fundus. Domestic pharmaceutical enterprises have become the central pillar of ophthalmic drugs renovation. However, their focus is limited to fundus, innovation is still needed in areas such as glaucoma xerophthalmia.