How 3D face and jaw shape relates to nearsightedness and farsightedness

Analysis of the Relationship Between the Morphological Characteristics of the Maxillomandibular Region in a 3D Representation and the Refractive Status of the Eye After the Completion of Growth and Development

This project will see if 3D measurements of the face and jaw are linked to eye size and focusing status in healthy young adults aged 21 to 25.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 21 Years to 25 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Zagreb (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Zagreb)
• Trial ID: NCT07460557 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a cross-sectional observational study of about 120 healthy participants aged 21–25 that compares detailed ocular biometry (including axial length and other internal eye measurements) with three-dimensional craniofacial morphometric data. Participants will be divided into three groups—myopes, emmetropes, and hyperopes—with roughly equal numbers and balanced by sex, and only individuals of the same ethnic background will be included to limit population-related variability. Examinations include objective autorefractometry confirmed by subjective refraction, full anterior and posterior segment exams, and 3D imaging of maxillomandibular structures; people with prior ocular or facial surgery, craniofacial anomalies, certain orthodontic histories, trauma, strabismus, amblyopia, or systemic conditions affecting facial/ocular morphology are excluded. The design aims to identify whether specific facial shape features correlate with refractive status after growth is complete.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Healthy adults aged 21 to 25 of the specified ethnic background with best-corrected visual acuity ≥ 1.0, normal anterior/posterior eye exams, BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m², and no history of ocular or facial surgery or excluded conditions are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People outside the 21–25 age range, those with prior ocular or facial surgery, craniofacial anomalies, active or past orthodontic therapy affecting jaw relationships, strabismus, amblyopia, relevant trauma, systemic diseases affecting facial or ocular structure, or BMI outside 18.5–24.9 are unlikely to benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could reveal facial or skeletal markers linked to refractive errors that improve understanding and potentially help with screening or risk stratification for myopia and hyperopia.

How similar studies have performed: Prior work has typically examined eye measurements or facial shape separately, so combined 3D craniofacial and ocular biometric comparisons are relatively novel and existing evidence is limited and mixed.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy young adults aged 21 to 25 years.

Same ethnic background (to reduce population-related morphological variability).

Best-corrected visual acuity ≥ 1.0.

Normal findings of the anterior and posterior ocular segments.

Refractive status determined by objective autorefractometry and confirmed by subjective refraction.

Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m².

Willingness to participate and provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Previous ocular surgery.

Previous facial surgery.

Craniofacial anomalies.

Active or previous orthodontic therapy that may affect maxillomandibular relationships.

Strabismus.

Amblyopia.

Ocular trauma.

Facial trauma.

Systemic diseases that may affect facial morphology or ocular biometric parameters.

Where this trial is running

Zagreb

• University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine — Zagreb, Croatia (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Maja Malenica Ravlić, MD

Conditions Refractive Errors