Scientists Discover 24 Genes that Trigger Onset of Myopia

Scientists have discovered some new information that will help those suffering from the eye disorder myopia. Identifying 24 genes which have the potential to cause short-sightedness, the new research will hopefully provide better treatment in the future.

Researchers based in different countries studied genetic data from 37,382 individuals of European ancestry and 8,376 Asians.

"We identified 16 new loci for refractive error in individuals of European ancestry, of which eight were shared with Asians. Combined analysis identified eight additional associated loci," the researchers wrote in Nature Genetics.

"The substantial overlap in genetic loci for refractive error between individuals of European ancestry and Asians provides evidence for shared genetic risk factors between the populations," they noted.

The genes discovered during the meta-analysis conducted by the Consortium for Refraction and Myopia cream are responsible for only 3.4 percent of the variations in myopia. However, the researchers showed that "The ten-fold increased risk of myopia for those carrying the highest number of risk alleles shows the clinical significance of our findings."

Among the genes, researchers identified the ones involved in brain functions, neurotransmission and eye development. Billions across the world are affected by short-sightedness.

As far as differences between Asians and Europeans are concerned, the former are more likely to develop myopia compared to the latter. Around 30 percent of people in western countries suffer because of the refractive error.

In Asian nations, near-sightedness has been found in over 70 percent of the population. The eyeball in those people is often longer, and the light focuses slightly short on the retina. Unfortunately, the individual will often get a blurred image of the object he or she is looking at. Contact lenses or glasses can be used to correct vision. The refractive error can be corrected by laser surgery, but there can be unpleasant side effects following the procedure.