1
|
Hao J, Yang Z, Zhang R, Ma Z, Liu J, Bi H, Guo D. Crosstalk between heredity and environment in myopia: An overview. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29715. [PMID: 38660258 PMCID: PMC11040123 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the prevalence of myopia has gradually increased, and it has become a significant global public health problem in the 21st century, posing a serious challenge to human eye health. Currently, it is confirmed that the development of myopia is attributed to the combined action of genes and environmental factors. Thus, elucidating the risk factors and pathogenesis of myopia is of great significance for the prevention and control of myopia. To elucidate the impact of gene-environment interaction on myopia, we used the Pubmed database to search for literature related to myopia. Search terms are as follows: myopia, genes, environmental factors, gene-environment interaction, and treatment. This paper reviews the effects of gene and environmental interaction on myopia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Hao
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Zhaohui Yang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Ruixue Zhang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Zhongyu Ma
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Jinpeng Liu
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Hongsheng Bi
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Diseases, Jinan, 250002, China
- Shandong Academy of Eye Disease Prevention and Therapy, Jinan, 250002, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmology and Children Visual Impairment Prevention and Control, Jinan, 250002, China
- Shandong Engineering Technology Research Center of Visual Intelligence, Jinan, 250002, China
- Shandong Academy of Health and Myopia Prevention and Control of Children and Adolescents, Jinan, 250002, China
- Medical College of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Dadong Guo
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Diseases, Jinan, 250002, China
- Shandong Academy of Eye Disease Prevention and Therapy, Jinan, 250002, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmology and Children Visual Impairment Prevention and Control, Jinan, 250002, China
- Shandong Engineering Technology Research Center of Visual Intelligence, Jinan, 250002, China
- Shandong Academy of Health and Myopia Prevention and Control of Children and Adolescents, Jinan, 250002, China
- Medical College of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Musolf AM, Haarman AEG, Luben RN, Ong JS, Patasova K, Trapero RH, Marsh J, Jain I, Jain R, Wang PZ, Lewis DD, Tedja MS, Iglesias AI, Li H, Cowan CS, Biino G, Klein AP, Duggal P, Mackey DA, Hayward C, Haller T, Metspalu A, Wedenoja J, Pärssinen O, Cheng CY, Saw SM, Stambolian D, Hysi PG, Khawaja AP, Vitart V, Hammond CJ, van Duijn CM, Verhoeven VJM, Klaver CCW, Bailey-Wilson JE. Rare variant analyses across multiethnic cohorts identify novel genes for refractive error. Commun Biol 2023; 6:6. [PMID: 36596879 PMCID: PMC9810640 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04323-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Refractive error, measured here as mean spherical equivalent (SER), is a complex eye condition caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Individuals with strong positive or negative values of SER require spectacles or other approaches for vision correction. Common genetic risk factors have been identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), but a great part of the refractive error heritability is still missing. Some of this heritability may be explained by rare variants (minor allele frequency [MAF] ≤ 0.01.). We performed multiple gene-based association tests of mean Spherical Equivalent with rare variants in exome array data from the Consortium for Refractive Error and Myopia (CREAM). The dataset consisted of over 27,000 total subjects from five cohorts of Indo-European and Eastern Asian ethnicity. We identified 129 unique genes associated with refractive error, many of which were replicated in multiple cohorts. Our best novel candidates included the retina expressed PDCD6IP, the circadian rhythm gene PER3, and P4HTM, which affects eye morphology. Future work will include functional studies and validation. Identification of genes contributing to refractive error and future understanding of their function may lead to better treatment and prevention of refractive errors, which themselves are important risk factors for various blinding conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony M Musolf
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Annechien E G Haarman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert N Luben
- MRC Epidemiology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Jue-Sheng Ong
- Statistical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Karina Patasova
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rolando Hernandez Trapero
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joseph Marsh
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ishika Jain
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Riya Jain
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Paul Zhiping Wang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Deyana D Lewis
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Milly S Tedja
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adriana I Iglesias
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hengtong Li
- Data Science Unit, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cameron S Cowan
- Institute for Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ginevra Biino
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council of Italy, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alison P Klein
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Priya Duggal
- The Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David A Mackey
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Caroline Hayward
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Toomas Haller
- Estonian Genome Center, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andres Metspalu
- Estonian Genome Center, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Juho Wedenoja
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olavi Pärssinen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Central Hospital of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Centre for Quantitative Medicine, DUKE-National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Ocular Epidemiology Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Seang-Mei Saw
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University Health Systems, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Myopia Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dwight Stambolian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pirro G Hysi
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony P Khawaja
- MRC Epidemiology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Veronique Vitart
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher J Hammond
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Virginie J M Verhoeven
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Caroline C W Klaver
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Joan E Bailey-Wilson
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gordon-Shaag A, Shneor E, Doron R, Levine J, Ostrin LA. Environmental and Behavioral Factors with Refractive Error in Israeli Boys. Optom Vis Sci 2021; 98:959-970. [PMID: 34387583 PMCID: PMC8407447 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Evidence supporting the contributions of near work in myopia is equivocal. Findings from this pilot study suggest that a high prevalence of myopia in ultra-Orthodox boys may be attributed to intense near work at school and learning to read in preschool at an early age. PURPOSE This study aimed to assess factors that may influence myopia in three groups of Jewish boys with different educational demands. METHODS Healthy ultra-Orthodox, religious, and secular Jewish boys (n = 36) aged 8 to 12 years participated. Refractive status, education, time spent reading and writing, and electronic device use were assessed using a questionnaire, and time outdoors and physical activity were assessed objectively using an Actiwatch. Data were analyzed with χ2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests with Bonferroni post hoc comparisons. RESULTS Ultra-Orthodox (n = 14) and religious (n = 13) children had greater myopia prevalence compared with secular children (n = 9; P = .01), despite no differences in parental myopia. Actigraph data showed that there were no differences in activity (P = .52) or time spent outdoors (P = .48) between groups. Ultra-Orthodox children learned to read at a younger age and spent more hours at school (P < .001 for both). All groups engaged in a similar amount of near work while not in school (P = .52). However, ultra-Orthodox boys had less electronic device use than did religious (P = .007) and secular children (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS This pilot study demonstrates that ultra-Orthodox, religious, and secular children have distinct educational demands but similar time outdoors, physical activity, and near work while not in school. The findings suggest that near work at school and/or learning to read in preschool at an early age may contribute to previously reported differences in refractive error between groups. However, conclusions should be confirmed in a larger sample size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariela Gordon-Shaag
- Department of Optometry, Hadassah Academic College Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Einat Shneor
- Department of Optometry, Hadassah Academic College Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ravid Doron
- Department of Optometry, Hadassah Academic College Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jonathan Levine
- Department of Optometry, Hadassah Academic College Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lisa A. Ostrin
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Simpson CL, Musolf AM, Cordero RY, Cordero JB, Portas L, Murgia F, Lewis DD, Middlebrooks CD, Ciner EB, Bailey-Wilson JE, Stambolian D. Myopia in African Americans Is Significantly Linked to Chromosome 7p15.2-14.2. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:16. [PMID: 34241624 PMCID: PMC8287048 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.9.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to perform genetic linkage analysis and association analysis on exome genotyping from highly aggregated African American families with nonpathogenic myopia. African Americans are a particularly understudied population with respect to myopia. Methods One hundred six African American families from the Philadelphia area with a family history of myopia were genotyped using an Illumina ExomePlus array and merged with previous microsatellite data. Myopia was initially measured in mean spherical equivalent (MSE) and converted to a binary phenotype where individuals were identified as affected, unaffected, or unknown. Parametric linkage analysis was performed on both individual variants (single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] and microsatellites) as well as gene-based markers. Family-based association analysis and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis modified for rare variants was also performed. Results Genetic linkage analysis identified 2 genomewide significant variants at 7p15.2 and 7p14.2 (in the intergenic region between MIR148A and NFE2L3 and in the noncoding RNA LOC401324) and 2 genomewide significant genes (CRHR2 and AVL9) both at 7p14.3. No genomewide results were found in the association analyses. Conclusions This study identified a significant linkage peak in African American families for myopia at 7p15.2 to 7p14.2, the first potential risk locus for myopia in African Americans. Interesting candidate genes are located in the region, including PDE1C, which is highly expressed in the eyes, and known to be involved in retinal development. Further identification of the causal variants at this linkage peak will help elucidate the genetics of myopia in this understudied population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire L. Simpson
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Anthony M. Musolf
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Roberto Y. Cordero
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
| | - Jennifer B. Cordero
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
| | - Laura Portas
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Federico Murgia
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Deyana D. Lewis
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Candace D. Middlebrooks
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Elise B. Ciner
- The Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Joan E. Bailey-Wilson
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
| | - Dwight Stambolian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jong M, Jonas JB, Wolffsohn JS, Berntsen DA, Cho P, Clarkson-Townsend D, Flitcroft DI, Gifford KL, Haarman AEG, Pardue MT, Richdale K, Sankaridurg P, Tedja MS, Wildsoet CF, Bailey-Wilson JE, Guggenheim JA, Hammond CJ, Kaprio J, MacGregor S, Mackey DA, Musolf AM, Klaver CCW, Verhoeven VJM, Vitart V, Smith EL. IMI 2021 Yearly Digest. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:7. [PMID: 33909031 PMCID: PMC8088231 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.5.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The International Myopia Institute (IMI) Yearly Digest highlights new research considered to be of importance since the publication of the first series of IMI white papers. Methods A literature search was conducted for articles on myopia between 2019 and mid-2020 to inform definitions and classifications, experimental models, genetics, interventions, clinical trials, and clinical management. Conference abstracts from key meetings in the same period were also considered. Results One thousand articles on myopia have been published between 2019 and mid-2020. Key advances include the use of the definition of premyopia in studies currently under way to test interventions in myopia, new definitions in the field of pathologic myopia, the role of new pharmacologic treatments in experimental models such as intraocular pressure-lowering latanoprost, a large meta-analysis of refractive error identifying 336 new genetic loci, new clinical interventions such as the defocus incorporated multisegment spectacles and combination therapy with low-dose atropine and orthokeratology (OK), normative standards in refractive error, the ethical dilemma of a placebo control group when myopia control treatments are established, reporting the physical metric of myopia reduction versus a percentage reduction, comparison of the risk of pediatric OK wear with risk of vision impairment in myopia, the justification of preventing myopic and axial length increase versus quality of life, and future vision loss. Conclusions Large amounts of research in myopia have been published since the IMI 2019 white papers were released. The yearly digest serves to highlight the latest research and advances in myopia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Jong
- Discipline of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Brien Holden Vision Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jost B. Jonas
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - James S. Wolffsohn
- Optometry and Vision Science Research Group, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Berntsen
- The Ocular Surface Institute, College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Pauline Cho
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Danielle Clarkson-Townsend
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, Georgia, United States
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Daniel I. Flitcroft
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kate L. Gifford
- Myopia Profile Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT) School of Optometry and Vision Science, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Annechien E. G. Haarman
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Machelle T. Pardue
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, Georgia, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Kathryn Richdale
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Padmaja Sankaridurg
- Brien Holden Vision Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Milly S. Tedja
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Joan E. Bailey-Wilson
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Jeremy A. Guggenheim
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Hammond
- Section of Academic Ophthalmology, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Stuart MacGregor
- Statistical Genetics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David A. Mackey
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Anthony M. Musolf
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Caroline C. W. Klaver
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Virginie J. M. Verhoeven
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Veronique Vitart
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Earl L. Smith
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
The relationship between education levels, lifestyle, and religion regarding the prevalence of myopia in Israel. BMC Ophthalmol 2021; 21:136. [PMID: 33726690 PMCID: PMC7962316 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-021-01891-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ultra-Orthodox Jewish community has a unique lifestyle including minimal outdoor activity and intense, prolonged nearby work, beginning at a very young age. Their prevalence of myopia is extremely high. This paper provides a unique insight into the attitudes of this community towards myopia. METHODS Ultra-Orthodox Jewish parents of children who came to the pediatric ophthalmology clinic in one tertiary care and two community centers in ultra-Orthodox-oriented cities were given a questionnaire. Demographic information, along with myopia prevalence in the family, was gathered. In addition, their attitudes and common knowledge regarding myopia were investigated. RESULTS 161 questioners were collected, mostly completed by mothers (n = 110, 68%). The average number of children per family was 6 (range 1-16). In 148 families (92%) at least one of the parents has myopia. The average parent refraction was - 4.5 diopters (range - 0.5 to 15 diopters). Out of 935 children, 410 (44%) wore glasses. Twelve parents (7%) believe that myopia is a disease and 94 (58%) reported that they are concerned because their child wears glasses. Twenty-four (15%) believe that glasses are a sign of a high education level. Regarding treating myopia progression, 144 (89%) think that myopia progression should be treated, but only 36 (22%) are aware of the available treatments for it. CONCLUSION This study examines an insular community with a very high incidence of myopia. In this community most parents think that myopia progression should be treated but most of them are unaware of the currently available treatments.
Collapse
|