Prevalence of hyperopia and strabismus in a paediatric population with malocclusions

Authors:

ABSTRACT

Aim

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hyperopia and strabismus among a paediatric
population with malocclusions.

Methods

From a total of 322 consecutive patients observed at the
department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, Dental Clinic, University of L'Aquila, 176 were selected for the study according
to the exclusion criteria. Pretreatment diagnostic data, which included radiographic, cephalometric and dental cast
evaluation, were recorded and presence of hyperopia or strabismus was assessed through an ophthalmological
examination. Differences in incidence rates of strabismus or hyperopia by sex and malocclusion were analysed by using the
chi-square (Pearson's chi-square test) and Fisher's exact tests.

Results

According to the sagittal malocclusion, patients
were classified as Class I (122), Class II division 1 (26), Class II Division 2 (9), or Class III (19); after ophthalmological
examination, hyperopia was detected in 8.6 of patients, while strabismus was present in 3.6 of them. No
gender influence was found for hyperopia, strabismus or malocclusion. DISCUSSION: Few studies investigated a possible
relationship between the ocular and stomatognathic system, and no data are available in the scientific literature; the present
study did not highlight differences in the prevalence of hyperopia or strabismus in the three Angle classes malocclusion.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study did not suggest a possible association between hyperopia or strabismus
and sagittal malocclusion, but future studies are needed to confirm and explain this observation.

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