AIM: To propagate, screen, diagnose and treat for diabetic eye diseases in economic less-developed areas(national and provincial poverty-stricken county, city and district), and create a working way that be accord with China's national conditions and easy to achieve with the help of International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies, Eli Lilly and Company and Ophthalmic center of Peking University.

METHODS: Improving propaganda to confirm patients and families in clinical diagnosis and treatment, and depending on department for posterior eye of hospitals; Cooperating with local diabetes hospitals, and intervening specifically with the help of these hospitals; Acquiring detailed epidemiological data in the way of stratified one-stage cluster sampling, utilizing administrative means of local health authorities; Issuing publicity manuals, carrying out lectures, training rural doctors and conducting epidemiological surveys.

RESULTS: Awareness rate of diabetic eye diseases was enhanced from 3.2% to 10.54%, intervention rate was enhanced from 10.8% to 23.47%, blind rate(double)was decreased from 10.0% to 2.46%, and utilization rate of insulin was enhanced from 10.0% to 52.38%.

CONCLUSION: Blindness prevention and treatment for diabetic eye diseases in economic less-developed areas should be local, flexible and easy to operate, and then the work could be popularized.