For decades, myopia has widely believed to be caused by genes and their interaction with indoor activities such as reading and being on a computer. Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have finally found the first known evidence of that gene-environment interaction, which is related to the activity of a certain gene, called APLP2.

The results of 14,000 people who have been studied in this research suggested that those with APLP2 were five times more likely to develop myopia in their teens if in their childhood they spent an hour or more reading each day. Those who carried APLP2 but spent less time reading had no additional risk of developing myopia.

They found that mice exposed to a visual environment that mimics reading were less likely to develop myopia when little APLP2 protein was present in the eye. While researchers have not identified how APLP2 levels could be reduced, future research will look at reducing how APLP2 could prevent myopia. Currently, the best therapy is to spend time outdoors.

Although myopia does not seem threatening at first, but this condition increases the risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment later in life, which can cause vision loss or blindness.

More articles on My Health Career:

• Genetic interaction in the treatment of glaucoma
• Could a gene therapy be developed for “colour blindness?”
• Life through a shortsighted child’s eyes

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