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BGU Scientists Isolate Nearsightedness Gene

BGU Scientists Isolate Nearsightedness Gene

September 22, 2011

Medical Research

The Forward – Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is the most common human eye disorder.

Nearsightedness is about more than just wearing glasses, as it leads to a higher incidence of secondary eye disorders. These include retinal detachment, macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts.

For decades, researchers have known this disorder is hereditary, but have been unable to isolate the gene causing it. A team of BGU researchers, led by Prof. Ohad Birk, has finally identified a mutation in the gene LEPREL1 as the culprit.

Prof. Birk’s team made the breakthrough by studying a type of nearsightedness common in a specific Bedouin tribe and by collaborating with a Finnish group studying models using insect cells.

When LEPREL1 mutates, it causes the eyeball to be longer than normal, leading to the image focusing in front of the retina instead of on it.

Researchers are continuing their investigation to see if this is always how nearsightedness develops or if this process is specific to the Bedouin tribestudied.

Read more on The Forward website>>