Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2025
07:06
Binocular Dynamic Visual Acuity in Eyeglass-Corrected Myopic Patients
Published on: March 29, 2022
2.8K
Gene-environment Interaction in Spherical Equivalent and Myopia: An Evidence-based Review
Xiyan Zhang1, Qiao Fan2, Fengyun Zhang1
1Department of Child and Adolescent Health Promotion, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China.
Ophthalmic Epidemiology
|September 21, 2021
Summary
Gene-environment interactions significantly influence myopia development, particularly with higher education levels. While specific genetic variants are identified, more research is needed to confirm their role and understand environmental impacts.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Genetics
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a growing global health concern.
- The interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental factors in myopia development is complex and not fully understood.
- Systematic reviews on gene-environment interaction in myopia are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize existing research on the association between gene-environment interaction and myopia.
- To identify specific genetic variants and environmental factors involved in myopia development through interaction.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang) up to March 2020.
- Nine relevant studies investigating gene-environment interactions in myopia were included.
- Data analysis was performed using STATA 16.0.
Main Results:
- Gene-education interaction showed a more pronounced genetic effect on myopia in individuals with higher education levels.
- Several genetic variants (e.g., ZMAT4, GJD2, TJP2) were implicated, but replication is limited.
- Higher education levels were associated with a significant shift towards myopia (Pooled β = -0.15) compared to lower education levels (Pooled β = -0.10).
Conclusions:
- Gene-environment interactions play a substantial role in myopia, with education being a key environmental factor, especially in adults.
- Limited evidence exists for environmental factors like near work or reduced outdoor time exacerbating genetic risk.
- Further research is required to pinpoint specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and environmental factors contributing to gene-environment interactions in myopia.
Related Concept Videos
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
6.8K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
6.8K
01:16Focusing of Light in the Eye
3.5K
Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...
3.5K
01:20Gene-Environment Interactions
693
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
693
01:17Accessory Structures of the Eye
2.1K
Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
2.1K