Abstract: Objective To explore the prevalence and correlates of poor vision among first grade primary school students in Xicheng District of Beijing.Methods Cluster sampling method was used to select 3 681 first grade students from schools in Xicheng district in Beijing during Oct 2012.Ophthalmological examination was conducted among all the participants including visual acuity,non-mydriatic computer optometry,insertion optometry,and eye position.The visual acuity was followed up each year in the next 2 years.Results A total of 778 (21.13%) poor vision students were detected from 13 primary schools,with girls (22.59%)higher than boys (19.86%)(x2=4.11,P<0.05).Small pupil testing showed the following common refractive types:simple myopia astigmatism (32.33%),simple myopia (23.23%),compound myopia astigmatism (12.75%),compound hyperopic astigmatism (10.64%),simple hyperopia astigmatism (7.39%),mixed astigmatism (6.74%),simple hyperopia (5.77%) and emmetropia (0.97%).The follow-up investiqation showed that 64.74% of students remained poor vision,14.13% recovered in the following 2 years,9.34% transient recovery in grade 2 and 11.78% recovered in grade 3.Conclusion Myopia and astigmatism are the main causes of poor vision in primary school students in Xicheng District of Beijing.After 2-year follow-up,the proportion of vision recovery is low.Myopia prevention should be implemented during preschool stage and vision care programs during early stage of school year.