Eye-tracking analysis reveals the influence of professional background and gender on gaze patterns toward lateral profiles
10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000–1492.2026.02.021
- VernacularTitle:眼动分析揭示专业背景与性别对侧貌注视模式的影响
- Author:
Tingting WU
1
;
Xiuyun ZHENG
1
;
Xinyi SONG
1
;
Xiaoyu LIU
1
Author Information
1. College & Hospital of Stomatology， Anhui Medical University， Hefei 230032
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
eye tracking;
questionnaire survey;
aesthetic patterns;
lateral face;
gender differences;
professional background
- From:
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui
2026;61(2):335-343
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo explore the visual attention distribution across different lateral facial profiles and analyze the influence of observer gender and professional background on aesthetic evaluation， providing an aesthetic basis for the design of clinical orthodontic treatment. MethodsEye-tracking technology was employed to record the gaze paths of 136 subjects （orthodontists， non-orthodontic dentists， and non-medical professionals） when evaluating three types of male and female lateral profiles （convex， straight， and concave）. A questionnaire survey was conducted using a visual analog scale （VAS）. Data differences and the consistency between eye-tracking and questionnaire results were analyzed through t-tests， analysis of variance （ANOVA）， and Kappa coefficient analysis. ResultsThe questionnaire scores for straight profiles were significantly higher than those for convex and concave profiles （P<0.05）. Eye-tracking revealed that subjects primarily focused on the eye and nasal regions （P<0.001）， followed by the mouth. However， orthodontists showed no significant difference in attention between the mouth and eye-nasal areas （P>0.05）. Additionally， gender differences were notable. Female observers prioritized the mouth （P<0.05）， while male observers paid later attention to the oral-buccal region. The forehead and chin rapidly attracted attention during the initial evaluation phase， particularly in female concave profiles （P<0.05）. Eye-tracking data demonstrated high consistency with questionnaire results （κ=0.868）. ConclusionThis study， utilizing eye-tracking technology， finds that the eye and nasal regions are the core focus areas for aesthetic evaluation of lateral profiles. Gender differences result in distinct gaze preferences （males emphasize the nose， while females emphasize the eyes）， whereas orthodontists focus more on the lips and forehead. As aesthetic baselines， the forehead and chin， with their profile characteristics， should be prioritized in treatment. This research provides a basis for developing personalized orthodontic plans and establishing aesthetic consensus between clinicians and patients.
