Seeing is learning: providing vision care to rural primary school children in China
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN03252665 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN03252665 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | Stanford University (USA) |
| Funders | Luxottica Corporation (Italy), Essilor Corporation (USA), CLSA Investments (USA), Private Donor |
- Submission date
- 17/09/2012
- Registration date
- 25/09/2012
- Last edited
- 02/05/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Eye Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims:
World Bank studies suggest that approximately 1 in 10 of all primary school children in developing countries have problems with their eyesight. The majority of childrens eye problems are caused by refraction errors, which can be corrected with properly fitted eyeglasses. However, most children with refraction problems in low-income countries do not have glasses. Studies in Southern China show that 1 in 5 children have uncorrected vision, and impaired vision among students in rural China, can have potential adverse consequences on education.
Who can participate?
All fourth and fifth grade students in the sample schools.
What does the study involve?
All fourth and fifth grade students in the sample schools will be screened for vision problems. Those children found to have uncorrected vision will be prescribed and fitted with a pair of glasses. Depending on the group they are assigned to, they will either receive a free pair of glasses, receive a voucher to go pick up a free pair of glasses from the nearest optician, or receive nothing (the control). Each of these groups will also receive an educational training which focuses on the benefits of proper eye care. However, a sub group will receive no glasses and no training. By the end of the study, all students with uncorrected vision in the sample, regardless of which group they were assigned to, will be given a pair of glasses.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Students with uncorrected vision will receive a free pair of quality spectacles. There are no significant risks to participating.
Where is the study run from?
Stanford University, USA and Beijing, China
When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2012 to June 2013
Who is funding the study?
Luxottica Corporation, Essilor Corporation, CLSA Investment Brokerage and private donors.
Who is the main contact?
Matthew Boswell
boswell@stanford.edu
Contact information
Scientific
Stanfor University
616 Serra Street
Encina Hall
East Wing, Room 402
Stanford
CA 94305
United States of America
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Cluster randomized control trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Seeing is learning: providing vision care to rural primary school children in China: a cluster randomized trial |
| Study objectives | We predict twelve percent of the sample will have uncorrected vision problems [primarily short-sightedness (i.e., myopia)]. We predict that correcting these vision problems will raise the academic achievement among student who receive corrective glasses. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Stanford University Institutional Review Board, 15 July 2012, ref: 6208 Zhongshan University [Sun Yat-sen University] Institutional Review Board |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Vision care |
| Intervention | Free Glasses (80 schools) Voucher for Free Glasses (can be transferred at the nearest eyeglass shop in the county seat; 80 schools) Control (80 schools) Education intervention (crosscutting; 120 schools) Pure control (no education, no glasses; 40 schools) |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Messured in both a baseline and follow-up survey: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Knowledge of vision care and mental health, such as anxiety, mental health, self-esteem, and enjoyment of school. |
| Completion date | 30/06/2013 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 20000 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Fourth and fifth grade students in 250 randomly selected primary schools in Yulin Prefecture, Shaanxi Province and Tianshui Prefecture, Gansu Province. |
| Key exclusion criteria | Students with ailments or conditions that prevents them from being safely dilated and given a proper corrective vision prescription (existing literature indicates this would be at most one percent of the sample population) |
| Date of first enrolment | 20/09/2012 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/06/2013 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- China
- United States of America
Study participating centre
CA 94305
United States of America
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan | Not provided at time of registration |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 23/09/2014 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | results | 01/07/2018 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | 19/02/2022 | 21/02/2022 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | 13/05/2023 | 15/05/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | 01/05/2025 | 02/05/2025 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
02/05/2025: Publication reference added.
15/05/2023: Publication reference added.
21/02/2022: Publication reference added.
30/05/2018: Publication reference added.
