Construction and effectiveness of a three-level prevention and control system for ocular health of frontier soldiers in high-altitude regions

XING Lingzhi; HAN Ruijuan; REN Qiaoxia; YU Pei; ZHAO Yingying; ZHU Wenfang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-1753.2025.05.026

Abstract：Objective To address the fragmented management of ocular health among border defense troops in high-altitude areas, this study constructs a three-tier prevention and control system based on evidence-based medicine, namely 'environmental adaptation - technological empowerment - institutional innovation', and verifies its practical application effect. Methods A prospective cohort study design was adopted, integrating the World Health Organization's health promotion theory and the 'Practical Manual for High Altitude Wound Care' and the 'Regulations on Military Health Support' as references. By establishing environmental adaptation, technological empowerment, and institutional optimization, a three-tier ocular health prevention and control system was built. From October 2023 to September 2024, 126 soldiers from a border defense unit at an altitude above 4,500 m in Southwest China were selected as the study subjects. Using a random number table method, they were divided into an observation group (n=63) and a control group (n=63). The observation group received the three-tier prevention and control system, while the control group maintained routine health support. The incidence of eye injuries, dry eye syndrome, evacuation time, compliance with wearing goggles, screening coverage, and satisfaction scores were compared between the two groups. Results After implementing the three-tier prevention and control system, the incidence of eye injuries and dry eye syndrome in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, with statistically significant differences (χ²=5.896, 5.642; P=0.015, 0.018). The evacuation time in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (t=24.260, P<0.001). Compliance with wearing goggles and screening coverage in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (χ²=18.106, 62.745; all P<0.001). The overall satisfaction score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (t=11.310, P<0.001), and the scores in all dimensions were also higher (t=9.371–12.795; all P<0.001), with statistically significant differences. Conclusion Implementing a multi-dimensional intervention of 'environmental improvement, technological innovation, and institutional support' for ocular health in high-altitude border defense units effectively reduces ocular risks among high-altitude troops, providing a scientific protection plan for ocular health management of border defense troops in China's high-altitude areas.