AIM: To study the type, degree and axial distribution of low vision astigmatism in preschool children.

METHODS: A group of 3-6 years old children were selected for astigmatism screening, and statistical analysis was performed on the detected 445 eyes of 308 people.

RESULTS: With more than 0.50D astigmatism criteria, astigmatism examination of 308 people, accounting for 36.2%, of which 137 eyes astigmatism, astigmatism 171 monocular. The five types of astigmatism were compound hyperopia 40.7%, mixed 35.5%, compound myopia 8.5%, myopia 8.3%, simple hyperopia astigmatism degree 7.0%; 69.0% were mild, 16.6% moderate, 14.4% severe. Astigmatism axial distribution was with the rule for 54.9%, against the rule 28.8%, oblique 16.6%. In binocular astigmatism eyes, axial symmetry was in 35.8%, asymmetry in 64.2%.

CONCLUSION: The main type of astigmatism in preschool children are compound hyperopia and mixed astigmatism. Astigmatism degree is mainly mild. With the increase of age, the detection rate of moderate and high astigmatism increased.