“十四五”期间我国眼健康服务取得长足进步

Core Insights - The article highlights significant advancements in eye health services in China during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, with 94.9% of counties providing ophthalmic services and a 26.4% increase in the number of ophthalmologists compared to the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan" [1][2]. Group 1: Current Status of Eye Health Services - 99.7% of cities have at least one secondary or higher comprehensive hospital with an independent ophthalmology department [1]. - Approximately 67,000 ophthalmologists (including assistant physicians) are available nationwide, marking a 26.4% increase from the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan" [1]. - 3,756 county-level medical institutions can perform cataract surgeries, covering 69.9% of counties, while 4,520 institutions provide vision testing services, covering 88.9% of counties [1]. Group 2: Ongoing Challenges - China remains one of the countries with the highest number of blind and visually impaired individuals, with high rates of myopia among children and adolescents [1]. - There is a limited willingness among the elderly to actively seek vision correction, and the number of ophthalmologists per capita is still significantly lower than in major developed countries [1]. - The capacity for vision care services and eye disease screening at the grassroots level is weak [1]. Group 3: Future Plans - The focus for the "15th Five-Year Plan" will be on key eye diseases such as myopia and cataracts, particularly targeting the elderly and children [2]. - Plans include improving facilities and equipment in county hospitals, training personnel, and establishing a system for mobile surgeries, with a goal to achieve full coverage of cataract surgery capabilities in counties by the end of 2027 [2].