Neuro-Stomatognathic and Visual Impairments in the 16th Century

Nervous system pathways connect vision and dental occlusion.1 Dysfunctional trigeminal afferents from lesions in the masticatory muscles or the temporo-mandibular joint affect binocular function resulting in strabismus, myopia and, sometimes, headache.1 It is possible that such conditions are depicted in a 16th century painting by Pieter Brueghel the Elder (ca 1525-1569). In “The Adoration of the Kings” (1564, London National Gallery, UK), a male figure wearing spectacles for myopia is depicted on the extreme right of the canvas; he is symbolically interpreted as the indication that those around Christ are blind to his significance.
Source: American Journal of Ophthalmology - Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research