Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between malocclusions and visual defects. This is a case-control study evaluating the prevalence of visual defects in patients with different types of malocclusions. Methods: One-hundred and sixty patients aged from 5 to 14 were evaluated using the ROMA index to detect malocclusion; the ones with the lowest scores were used as the control group. They were also submitted to visual-capacity inspection for motility and refractive disorders. Results: Our work showed an enhanced prevalence of refractive defects or fusional vergence defects and alteration of eye movements (especially the saccades) in almost all dental malocclusions. Statistics: The Kappa test values for ROMA index were between 0.643 and 1.00 for the intraoperator agreement (0.00 < p < 0.002) and between 0.773 and 1.00 for the agreement between operators (p = 0 < 0.001). The statistically significance level for the correlation malocclusion/visual defects was set at p < 0.05. Statistical analyses were performed with the STATA software (version 15.0, Stata Corp LP, College Station, TX, USA). Conclusion: Considering the high level of the statistical analysis and the accuracy of the methodology used, these data allows the establishment of a huge correlation between sagittal, transversal and vertical malocclusions with ocular disorders (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and ocular motility defects).
Highlights
Anatomic systems are organized through a network of structural and functional relationships between their elements
Higher percentages were found for almost all visual defects compared to the control group
In patients with functional asymmetries we found a greater incidence of refractive vices (67%), of fusional vergence (52%) and an alteration of the saccades (56%); in patients with flawed habits, refractive defects occur at a rate of 61%, the amplitude was poor with 52%; while in patients with misalignment/crowding, refractive vices occur with 61%, the amplitude fused poorly with 57% and the alteration of the saccades with 57%
Summary
Anatomic systems are organized through a network of structural and functional relationships between their elements. This network of relationships generates a set of rules that guide and constrain morphogenetic processes. The soft tissue matrix—in which skeletal elements are embedded—is the primary determinant of growth, while both the bone and cartilage are reactive secondary growth sites. This is the fundamental premise of the functional matrix theory [2]. The embryonic facial maxillary prominences develop numerous intramembranous ossification centers. One of them is the orbito-nasal center that starts formation around the seventh week.
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