Abstract: Objective To investigate the refraction status of low vision children aged 4~14 years old. Methods 228 children (376 eyes) with low vision aged 4~14 years old were recruited with retinoscopy optometry under ciliary muscles paralysis. Results 53% (72 eyes) of the preschool group had hyperopia, 41.2% (56 eyes) had myopia, and 6.0% (8 eyes) had mix astigmia. 40.0% (96 eyes) of the school-age group had hyperopia, 55.0% (132 eyes) had myopia, and 5.0% (12 eyes) had mix astigmia. The incidence of hyperopia was higher in the preschool group than in the school-age group (P<0.05). The majority of the refraction status in both groups were ranged in high level. After refraction correction and using visual aid device, 27.4% of the low vision children improved, and the number was higher in children who had better naked vision (P<0.01). Conclusion The refraction status of pre-school children with low vision is mainly hyperopia. For school-aged children, the refraction status shows a majority of myopia. The refraction errors of low vision children are mainly ranged in high level and partial low vision children improved after refraction correction

Key words: low vision, children, refraction status