Prevalence of vision problems in a hospital-based pediatric population with malocclusion.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of vision defects (myopia, astigmatism, strabismus, and hyperopia) in Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusions.

METHODS

A total of 1,326 patients were screened to assess the prevalence of vision defects and malocclusion. All the patients classified as Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusions were submitted to an ophthalmologic visit for the evaluation of vision problems. The occurrence rates of vision defects were calculated as percentages of the total sample. Differences in incidence rates of each vision defect by sex were analyzed by chi-square test.

RESULTS

Myopia was the most common (22 percent), followed by astigmatism (∼20 percent), hyperopia (∼12 percent), and strabismus (∼4 percent). The prevalence of myopia was higher in Class II malocclusions, while the prevalence of astigmatism and hyperopia was higher in Class I malocclusion. No significant difference in vision defects by sex was found.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant difference in vision defects by sex was found. The prevalence of astigmatism and hyperopia was higher in patients with Class I malocclusion. The prevalence of myopia was higher in patients with Class II malocclusion.