Causal relationships between depression, anxiety, and myopia: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Psychiatry
• Genetics

Background:

• Myopia is a growing global health concern.
• The potential causal links between mental health conditions like depression and anxiety and myopia risk remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal relationship between depression, anxiety, and the risk of myopia.
• Utilize Mendelian randomization to assess genetic predispositions.

Main Methods:

• Employed a multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) design.
• Utilized summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for depression and anxiety as exposures, and myopia as the outcome.
• Applied inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) method with sensitivity analyses.

Main Results:

• Genetic variants for depression and anxiety were identified as instrumental variables.
• Both depression (OR=1.010) and anxiety (OR=1.083) showed a statistically significant association with increased myopia risk.
• Multivariable MR confirmed that depression (OR=1.004) and anxiety (OR=1.004) remain associated with elevated myopia risk after adjustment.

Conclusions:

• A causal relationship exists between depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of myopia.
• Highlights the importance of considering mental health in myopia control strategies, particularly for children.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.