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Regional Differences in Prevalence of Myopia: Genetic or Environmental Effects?

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Advances in Vision Research, Volume III

Part of the book series: Essentials in Ophthalmology ((ESSENTIALS))

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Abstract

It is well accepted that a myopia epidemic is occurring globally, with 50% of the global population predicted to have myopia by the year 2050. Parts of East and Southeast Asia, such as China, South Korea, and Singapore, have the most rapidly increasing rates of myopia compared to other parts of the world. The rate of rise in myopia differs between geographical locations and, even within a country, varying according to the level of urbanization of the studied region and between ethnic groups. Genetic factors are known to play a part in the myopia epidemic, with over 100 genes associated with myopia or its ocular traits already identified. Children in families where one or both parents have myopia are more likely to develop myopia. However, the epidemic is likely to be the result of environmental risk factors, such as higher levels of education, increased near work, and decreased time spent outdoors, rather than genetic factors. These environmental factors may predispose individuals who are genetically susceptible to develop myopia and may provide a target for early intervention and prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (Incorporating the Lions Eye Institute), University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia

    Samantha S. Y. Lee & David A. Mackey

  2. Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    David A. Mackey

  3. School of Medicine, Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia

    David A. Mackey

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  1. Samantha S. Y. Lee
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  2. David A. Mackey
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Correspondence to Samantha S. Y. Lee .

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  1. National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Gyan Prakash

  2. National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan

    Takeshi Iwata

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Lee, S.S.Y., Mackey, D.A. (2021). Regional Differences in Prevalence of Myopia: Genetic or Environmental Effects?. In: Prakash, G., Iwata, T. (eds) Advances in Vision Research, Volume III. Essentials in Ophthalmology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9184-6_25

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