New genes responsible for myopia discovered by scientists

An international research project has yielded potentially important discoveries about the genetic causes of refractive errors and myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness.

Researchers from Europe, Asia, Australia and the US collaborated on a King's College London-led initiative to analyse the genetic and refractive error data of more than 45,000 people from 32 different studies.

They were able to identify 24 new genes responsible for this trait and confirmed two previously reported genes, with carriers of these high-risk variations having a tenfold increased risk of contracting the condition.

This discovery could be the first step to moving treatment methods for myopia away from the current reliance on glasses and contact lenses.

Lead author Professor Chris Hammond, of the department of twin research and genetic epidemiology at King's College London, said: "Now we understand more about the genetic triggers for the condition, we can begin to explore other ways to correct it or prevent progression."

Thought to be slightly more common in females than males, myopia affects around 30 per cent of Western populations and up to 80 per cent of Asian people.