Myopia Genetics

Caroline Klaver

Caroline C. W. Klaver, MD, PhD, IMI Committee Chair

Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Committee members:

  • Dr. Virginie Verhoeven
  • Prof. Chris Hammond
  • Dr. Magda A. Meester-Smoor
  • Dr. Milly S. Tedja
  • Dr. Jaakko Kaprio
  • Dr. Annechien E.G. Haarman
  • Prof. David A. Mackey
  • Prof. Jeremy A. Guggenheim
  • CREAM Consortium

This Committee recommends expanding large-scale, in-depth genetic studies using complementary big data analytics, consideration of gene-environment effects by thorough measurement of environmental exposures, and focus on subgroups with extreme phenotypes and high familial occurrence.

 

The knowledge on the genetic background of refractive error and myopia has expanded dramatically in the past few years. This white paper aims to provide a concise summary of current genetic findings and defines the direction where development is needed.

We performed an extensive literature search and conducted informal discussions with key stakeholders. Specific topics reviewed included common refractive error, any and high myopia, and myopia related to syndromes.

To date, almost 200 genetic loci have been identified for refractive error and myopia, and risk variants mostly carry low risk but are highly prevalent in the general population.

Several genes for secondary syndromic myopia overlap with those for common myopia. Polygenic risk scores show over representation of high myopia in the higher deciles of risk.
Annotated genes have a wide variety of functions, and all retinal layers appear to be sites of expression. The current genetic findings offer a world of new molecules involved in myopia genesis. As the missing heritability is still large, further genetic advances are needed.

This Committee recommends expanding large-scale, in-depth genetic studies using complementary big data analytics, consideration of gene-environment effects by thorough measurement of environmental exposures, and focus on subgroups with extreme phenotypes and high familial occurrence.

Functional characterization of associated variants is simultaneously needed to bridge the knowledge gap between sequence variance and consequence for eye growth.

Keywords: myopia, refractive error, genetics, GWAS, GxE interactions

Translated versions of IMI clinical summaries are available at myopiainstitute.org

The publication costs of the International Myopia Institute reports were supported by donations from BHVI, Carl Zeiss Vision, CooperVision, Essilor, Alcon, and Vision Impact Institute.

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