AIM: To investigate the prevalence and related risk factors of dry eye in Tibetan and Han pupils in Zhouqu county, Gansu Province.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. In May 2 012, two schools altogether 2 548 pupils of Zhouqu county were randomly selected as survey venues. Every participant completed symptoms of dry eye questionnaire, eye routine inspection, Schirmer Ⅰ test, tear-film break-up time, and fluorescein staining of the cornea, then confirmed the diagnosis. The SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS: Totally 2 548 subjects took part in this study, and the inclusion ratio was 90.61%. The prevalence rate of dry eye was 11.89%. Han-Tibetan ratio was 1.99:1(1 697:851). The prevalence of dry eye had no statistically significant difference among the Tibet nationality(12.22%)and Han nationality(11.73%)(χ²=0.132, P>0.05). The male-female ratio was 1.08:1(1 324:1 224); The prevalence of dry eye in the boy(13.22%)was higher than that of the girl(10.38%)(χ²=6.202, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dry eye has no statistically significant difference among the Tibet nationality and Han nationality. The prevalence of dry eye in boy is higher than that in the girl. And the prevalence of dry eye increases along with the aging process. The most common adverse symptoms is increased secretion. Relative risk factors of dry eye are age, trichiasis conjunctivitis and refractive error.