Association between the second-to-fourth digit (2D: 4D) ratio and myopia in medical students of the Medical Faculty of the Jeneral Soedirman University

Abstract

Refractive error is one of the biggest eye problems in young people. The most prevalent refractive error, myopia, is continuously increasing. The myopia degree impact results in serious complications in the eye. Current studies report that myopia is associated with the genetic and hormonal system. The second-to-fourth digit (2D: 4D) ratio on the other hand, has been reported as being related to the genetic and hormonal mechanism. This study aimed to establish an association between the 2D: 4D ratio and myopia cases in medical students of the Medical Faculty of Jenderal Soedirman University. This was a quantitative observational analytic research with a cross-sectional approach. One hundred students, divided into a myopia group and an emmetropia group, were recruited for the study. Digit measurement was done using a computer-based method by two independent observers, whereas an eye refraction test was conducted by an independent refractionist. An independent t-test on the 2D: 4D ratio showed no difference in values (p > 0.05) between the myopia group and the emmetropia group. In conclusion, the study reported that there was no significant association between the 2D: 4D ratio with myopia cases in medical students of Medical Faculty of Jenderal Soedirman University.