AIM: To investigate the visual acuity of people over 50 years in ophthalmic clinic and visual impairment before and after refractive correction.

METHODS: Totally 149 cases(298 eyes)of refractive error were examined and corrected using autorefractor and retinal optometry. The information of age, sex, economy, income and living standard were collected by questionnaire.

RESULTS: Out of 149 cases(298 eyes), 281 eyes(98.6%)had refractive error. 119 eyes(42.3%)had myopia, 94 eyes(33.5%)had hyperopia and 68 eyes(24.2%)had mixed astigmatism. The mean visual acuity was 0.42±0.21 and 0.63±0.32 respectively before and after correction. Corrected visual impairment was in 186 eyes(65.3%). Old age, low education, low income and rural area were risk factors for visual impairment.

CONCLUSION: Uncorrected refractive error is an important cause of visual impairment in elderly people. It can be promoted by refractive correction, which may benefit for their living quality.