AIM:To investigate the visual status and risk factors of elementary and middle school students in urban area of Chenzhou in order to provide evidence for vision protection.

METHODS: Visual acuity was examined in 11 286 students that were selected by multistage sampling. Influencing factors were investigated by questionnaire. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the associations.

RESULTS: In the elementary and middle school students, the hypopsia rate was 47.50% in Chenzhou; hypopsia rate in the elementary school was 34.01%, the rate in junior school was 62.10%; the main type of hypopsia was myopia(70.01%); myopia rate in pupils was 22.57%, myopia rate in junior middle school students was 48.84%.The main risk factors for myopia were: age, grade, parents with myopia, long homework time, reading more than 1h continuously, long time watching videos and obesity. Protective factors were: recessing out of classrooms and outdoor activities.

CONCLUSION: Hypopsia in youth is the result of genetic and environmental factors. Early protections, forming good visual habits will help protect children's vision.