AIM: To understand the screening and correction of myopia in children and adolescents from the Gannan region of Gansu Province, and to provide guidance for the prevention and control of myopia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional stratified cluster sampling study was conducted to select 2 kindergartens and 12 primary and secondary schools in Hezuo City and Zhouqu County, Gannan region of Gansu Province, two classes were randomly selected from each grade, and the whole class was used as a unit for screening. The screening and correction of myopia in children and adolescents were collected for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 5 072 children and adolescents were selected, and 4 806 valid data were finally included after excluding unqualified records. The overall prevalence of myopia was 45.55%, and the prevalence of myopia showed an increasing trend with the increase of grade(P<0.001). The prevalence of myopia in girls(48.66%)was higher than that in boys(42.18%; P<0.001). The prevalence of myopia increased with age(P<0.001), and the age group of 10-12 years old was the fastest growing for myopia, increasing from 25.62% to 60.57%. Furthermore, moderate myopia and high myopia showed an increasing tread with the increase of the grade(all P<0.001). The overall glasses wearing rate of the Gannan region was 28.55%, with a full correction rate of 50.72%, and the glasses wearing rate showed an increasing trend with the increase of grades(P<0.001). The glasses wearing rate of female students(30.84%)was higher than that of male students(26.69%; P=0.008). The full correction rates of low, moderate and high myopia in junior high were the lowest among the 3 phases of studying. The full correction rate of high myopia was the lowest in all phases of studying.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of myopia in children and adolescents from the Gannan region is lower than the national average, but the myopia of children and adolescents is still a trend of young age and high incidence, and the glasses wearing rate of myopia and full correction rate are low.