Researchers identify for the first time, gene associated with myopia

Researchers at Kings College London, England, have identified genes associated with a very common eye problem, nearsightedness. Results may lead to new treatments to combat the onset or progression of the problem.

In the study of more than 4000 twins, the researchers identified the gene for susceptibility to myopia, called RASGRF1, which has been replicated in more than 13mil other people in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Australia. The same group of twins also replicated the findings of myopia in a study in Rotterdam.

"Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common eye problem, affecting more than one third of adults in the UK, not only with associated costs and inconvenience of eyeglasses and contact lenses, the condition also takes people who are extremely myopic to significant risks of loss of vision. While we believe that environmental risk factors such as the lack of outdoor activity are involved, we had not understood exactly how people become myopic, "said the study's senior author, Christopher Hammond.

"We know for years that the most important risk factor for being myopic is to have parents who are nearsighted, and for the first time, we are identifying genes that may be involved in this susceptibility. By identifying the biological pathways that cause myopia, we hope to be able to develop treatments in the future, which will prevent or stop the progression of myopia, "the study's lead author, Pirro Hysi.

• Tweet