Prevalence of myopia in a population with malocclusions

Authors:

ABSTRACT

Aim

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

Methods

A total of 322 consecutive patients of the department of Orthodontics and
Gnathology, Dental Clinic, University of L'Aquila, were enlisted for the study and 292 were selected according to the
exclusion criteria. Pretreatment diagnostic data, which included radiographic cephalometric and dental cast evaluation, were
recorded and presence of myopia was assessed through an ophthalmological examination. Differences in the prevalence of
myopia by sex and malocclusion were analysed by using Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

Results

According to the sagittal malocclusion, patients were classified as Class I (N=162), Class II division 1 (N=75), Class II
division 2 (N=38), or Class III (N=12). No gender influence was found for myopia or malocclusion. No differences were
recorded when analysing the influence of sex on the prevalence of myopia in classes of malocclusion. A statistical
significant higher prevalence was found for subjects showing myopia in Class II division 1 malocclusion, while no other
significant differences were found for prevalence in the other classes of malocclusions. DISCUSSION: Few studies
investigated a possible relationship between the ocular and stomatognathic system, and no data are available in the
scientific literature. A higher prevalence of myopia was found in patients with Class II division 1: as expected no other
significant association was found. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest a possible association between
myopia and Class II, but further studies are needed to confirm and explain this observation.

PLUMX METRICS