Nearsightedness may be an inherited trait, study shows

Article

The refractive errors of myopia and hyperopia are thought to be, by Gu Zhu, MD and colleagues, primarily inherited.

San Francisco-The refractive errors of myopia and hyperopia are thought to be, by Gu Zhu, MD and colleagues, primarily inherited. The group's research, published in the June 2008 issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, also has found-on the long arm of chromosome 5-the probable location of genes that help determine axial length.

Eight hundred ninety-three individuals were used from the Tasmania Twin Eye Study and Brisbane Adolescent Twin Study, Australia, to obtain axial length measurements. Proportional impacts of genetic and environmental factors on axial length were analyzed in these samples of identical and fraternal twins.

It was found that genetic factors explained approximately 80% of axial length values, after adjusting for age and sex. Research team member David Mackey, MD, said that new measurement techniques will likely make collection of axial length data routine in future research on myopia and other refractive error.

Using a genome scan on a subset of 318 individuals, the researchers found string evidence for the role of chromosome 5 in the inheritance of axial length. A genomic analysis of a larger study group has been launched by researchers to confirm and refine this finding.

Newsletter

Join ophthalmologists across Europe—sign up for exclusive updates and innovations in surgical techniques and clinical care.

Recent Videos
Christine Curcio, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, shares histology update and revised nomenclature for OCT with Sheryl Stevenson of the Eye Care Network and Ophthalmology Times
SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO, shares key points from his retina presentation at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium
Robert Sergott, MD, describes fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) and the International SPECTRALIS Symposium – And Beyond (ISS) in Heidelberg, Germany.
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, spoke with Ophthalmology Times Europe about his presentation. It's titled "An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma" at the International SPECTRALIS Sympsoium. In conversation with Hattie Hayes, Ophthalmology Times Europe
Anat Loewenstein, MD, describes her presentation on remote imaging for age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium, in conversation with Hattie Hayes of Ophthalmology Times Europe
Tyson Brunstetter, OD, PhD, a US Navy Aerospace Optometrist at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, shares key takeaways from his keynote at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium (ISS)
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, shares his presentation, titled An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma, at this year's International SPECTRALIS Symposium
At the Retina World Congress, Siegfried Priglinger, MD, speaks about ensuring the best outcomes for preschool-aged patients
At the 2025 ASCRS meeting, Robert Ang, MD said small aperture IOLs can benefit all patients, especially those with complex corneas or who have undergone previous corneal refractive surgery
Viha Vig, MBChB graduate student at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, discusses her poster presentation on the relationship between mitochondiral disease, Alzheimer disease, and other types of dementia.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.