AIM: To investigate the prevalence and population distribution of pterygium in rural aged population in Chicheng County of Zhangjiakou City and provide the basis for the regional prevention and treatment of pterygium.

METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study. 3 981 rural residents aged more than 50 years old from 18 towns 180 villages in Chicheng County of Zhangjiakou City were selected by cluster randomized sampling. All subjects were taken slit lamp, life vision, external ocular and funds photos, stages and grades of pterygium were made based on the examinations.

RESULTS: A total of 3 494 subjects participated in the survey with the response rate of 87.77%. The number of pterygium was 280 with the prevalence 8.01%; the prevalence in male(10.11%)was significantly higher than female(6.97%), the difference was statistically significant(χ²=10.335,P=0.001), the prevalence of pterygium was elevated as the increase of age under 80 years, the difference was statistically significant(χ²=15.949,P=0.001). Of the 280 cases 387 eyes, 297 eyes needed surgical treatment, accounted for 76.74%.

CONCLUSION: Pterygium is a common ocular disease in rural aged population in Chicheng County of Zhangjiakou City. Different gender and age groups have different prevalence rate of pterygium. The percentage of surgical treatment is high.