Objective: To investigate the incidence and treatment of cataracts among adults aged above 50 in the Qingdao coastal areas, and to identify the epidemiology of cataracts in this area. Methods: In this investigative study, cluster sampling was used in randomly selected coastal communities in the Qingdao development zone from February 2013 to January 2015. Inhabitants over 50 years of age in the region underwent visual acuity and eye examinations, including the evaluation of lens status and cataract surgical status. Uniform standards and fixed census takers were used in this survey. The results were statistically analyzed by χ2 test methods. Results: In a total of 9 028 inhabitants, 2 008 cases of cataract were found among those above 50 years of age who had participated in the survey. The incidence rate of cataract was 22.24%. The incidence of cataract was higher in people over 70 years of age (60.03% vs.12.70%) and in females (27.11% vs.17.05%)(χ2=1 882, P <0.001; χ2=132, P <0.01). The incidence rate of cataract in people with diabetes was 66.94%, which was higher than the incidence rate in non-diabetic patients. There were166 patients in the survey whose visual acuity in the fellow eye was <0.05. The cataract surgical coverage rate was 68.67%. The social burden rate of cataract blindness was 1.84%. The social burden rate was higher in the aged, and the odds ratio was 5.83 (χ2=154, P <0.01). Conclusion: The leading cause of blindness in the survey is cataract. Cataract blindness is an area that is greatly lacking in both timely and effective treatment, and this creates a heavier burden on families and society. Much still needs to be done in cataract work.