Myopia and systemic manifestation of tissue hyperlaxity: A population‐based cross‐sectional study

BACKGROUND: Whether non-syndromic connective tissue hyperlaxity is associated with myopia is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between systemic signs of tissue hyperlaxity and myopia among adolescents. METHODS: Included were adolescents assessed before mandatory military service at the age of 16-18 years between 2011 and 2022. Diagnoses of hernias, pes planus, genu varus, genu valgum, and scoliosis, as well as joint injuries were used as surrogate markers for tissue hyperlaxity. The prevalence of these events among adolescents with myopia was evaluated and compared to the non-myopic population. RESULTS: Included were 920 806 adolescents. The mean age was 17.4 ± 1.4 years and 58.6% were men. Myopia was diagnosed in 290 759 adolescents (31.6%) and high myopia in 24 069 adolescents (2.6%). The prevalence of hernias was higher among adolescents with myopia, (2.76%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.69%-2.82% vs. 2.60%, 95% CI: 2.57%-2.65%), as were pes planus (14.92%, 95% CI: 14.79-15.05 vs. 13.51%, 95% CI: 13.42-13.59) and scoliosis (9.14%, 95% CI: 9.03-9.24 vs. 7.69%, 95%CI: 7.62-7.76). The prevalence of joint injuries was clinically similar between groups (less than 0.1% difference for ankle, shoulder, and knee injuries), as were genu varum and genu valgum (0.66%, 95%CI: 0.64%-0.69% vs. 0.68%, 95% CI: 0.66-0.70, respectively). Adjusted for possible confounders results remained consistent. CONCLUSIONS: Among a large sample of Israeli adolescents, those with myopia had a higher prevalence of hernias, pes planus, and scoliosis. These results could suggest a propensity for systemic conditions related to tissue laxity among myopic adolescents.