Objective  To analyze the prevalence rate of poor vision and glasses wearing among rural primary school children in western China, and to provide evidences for effective intervention on poor vision in the students.

  Methods  We extracted data on 35 232 students of grade four and five randomly selected from 387 rural primary schools in 23 counties of Shaanxi and Gansu province from two waves of survey conducted in 2012 and 2016. Chi-square test and logistic regression were utilized to analyze distribution characteristics and determinants of poor vision and glasses wearing among the students.

  Results  During the 3-year period, the prevalence rate of poor vision increased by 2.6% significantly from 28.2% in 2012 to 30.8% in 2016 among the pupils (P < 0.001) and the prevalence rate of glasses wearing among the students with poor vision increased by 2.5% significantly from 15% in 2012 to 17.5% in 2016 (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses revealed that the girl students, the students of grade five, non-resident students, and the students with maternal or parental education of 9 years or more were more likely to have poor vision (P < 0.005 for all) and the students of grade 5 and the students with maternal or parental education of 9 years or more were more likely to have glasses wearing (both P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  The prevalence rate of poor vision and glasses wearing increased from 2012 to 2016 and the rates were influenced mainly by schooling grade, whether being a resident student and parental education among rural primary school children in western China.