14 DAY TRIAL // A team of investigators recently managed to find a gene that apparently plays an important role in underlying nearsightedness, or myopia. The finding could potentially benefit millions.
Over the past few decades, statistics have shown that the incidence of myopia has increased considerably. Despite all this, very few studies into the genetic underpinnings of the condition have been conducted.
But some scientists have continued to run investigations into this issue even if their colleagues failed to do so, and a team at the Duke University Medical Center is among these experts.
The research they conducted in association with other groups of experts was successful in determining a gene that may be associated with the onset of the condition in Caucasian males of different descents.
Their work proved conclusive for men born in Holland, the United Kingdom and Australia. Details of the investigation have been published online, in the September 12 issue of the esteemed scientific journal Nature Genetics, e! Science News reports.
“The eye is already an organ of choice for gene therapy, for example, because the eye's small volume and self-contained area allow the therapy to remain inside the eye in a concentrated volume,” explains researcher Terri Young, MD.
The expert is the lead author of the Nature paper, and also a professor of ophthalmology, pediatrics, and medicine at the Center.
“In addition, the eye's accessibility lets clinicians observe the effects of treatment over time with noninvasive methods that can illuminate and test the retina and other eye structures,” adds the expert, who is also a researcher at the Duke Center for Human Genetics.
Myopia is characterized by an abnormal shape in the eye, which makes light entering the organ focus just in front of the retina. This makes the image appear out of focus.
Distance vision is the most severe affected, as everything appears blurry from afar. Researchers say that only 2 to 3 percent of all cases are pathological.
In these instances, conditions such as retinal detachment, premature glaucoma, macular bleeding, and glaucoma may accompany nearsightedness, eventually leading to complete blindness.
“People need to go outside and look to the horizon. Today's near work forces our eyes to constantly be in tension to focus on near objects – reading papers and watching monitors,” Young reveals.
“We also watch TV, work in cities with high buildings, drive in heavy traffic, and generally have fewer chances for distant views, especially in urban areas. These factors affect children with developing vision, as well as many adults,” he concludes.
A treatment based on the new genetics findings is still about a decade away, the team adds.