Dermatoglyphics as a possible morphological biomarker in myopia: analysis of finger ridge counts and fluctuating asymmetry

Background: The aim of this study is to provide the first analysis of finger ridge counts and fluctuating asymmetry in myopia, in order to evaluate dermatoglyphic role as a morphological biomarker. Materials and methods: Study sample consisted of 102 participants recruited from freshman students’ population of the University of Priština-Kosovska Mitro- vica. Prints were taken by standard ink and paper method. Differences in mean ridge counts between examined groups were analysed by ANOVA analysis of variance. Fluctuating asymmetry assessment was performed by using correlation method (p < 0.05). Results: Analysis has identified myopic males as the group with the most pro- minent differences of examined dermatoglyphic parameters. Myopic males, compared to controls, have significantly higher ridge counts for left and right ring and little finger, as well as total ridge count. Also, this group has recorded significant difference in fluctuating asymmetry correlation score for middle finger, and borderline significance for thumb and ring finger. Conclusions: Overall findings of this study have indicated that dermatoglyphics might serve as a morphological biomarker, especially in myopic males, selecting them as the group with dermatoglyphic differences that might be suggestive of higher developmental instability. Although promising, the present results should be considered as preliminary until future investigations replicate them in a larger sample.