Abstract
The effect of genetic factors on the occurrence of myopia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pomeranian Medical Academy in Szczecin, Poland
Introduction
The aim of this study was to investigate on a large population if and how genetic factors have an influence on the occurrence of myopia.
Material and methods
A total of 5533 students were examined (2659 boys and 2874 girls, in age 6−18 years, mean age 11.9, S.D. 3.2). The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia induced with 1% tropicamide. Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of at least -0.5 dioptres. The students and their parents completed a questionnaire on the child’s family history of myopia. Data analysis was performed using chi-squared test; p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results
It was found that myopia occurs more often in students whose father (p<0.001), mother (p<0.001) or siblings (p<0.0001) have myopia. A relation between the occurrence of myopia in grandparents and grandchildren was not observed (p>0.05).
Conclusions
The obtained results indicate that genetic factors have a significant effect on the occurrence of myopia.
Keywords
genetic factors, myopia
Integrated with
