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Refractive error is the most common eye disorder worldwide and is a prominent cause of blindness. Myopia affects over 30% of Western populations and up to 80% of Asians. The CREAM consortium conducted genome-wide meta-analyses, including 37,382 individuals from 27 studies of European ancestry and 8,376 from 5 Asian cohorts. We identified 16 new loci for refractive error in individuals of European ancestry, of which 8 were shared with Asians. Combined analysis identified 8 additional associated loci. The new loci include candidate genes with functions in neurotransmission (GRIA4), ion transport (KCNQ5), retinoic acid metabolism (RDH5), extracellular matrix remodeling (LAMA2 and BMP2) and eye development (SIX6 and PRSS56). We also confirmed previously reported associations with GJD2 and RASGRF1. Risk score analysis using associated SNPs showed a tenfold increased risk of myopia for individuals carrying the highest genetic load. Our results, based on a large meta-analysis across independent multiancestry studies, considerably advance understanding of the mechanisms involved in refractive error and myopia.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/ng.2554

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nature genetics

Publication Date

03/2013

Volume

45

Pages

314 - 318

Addresses

Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Keywords

Consortium for Refractive Error and Myopia (CREAM), Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) Research Group, Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium 2 (WTCCC2), Fuchs' Genetics Multi-Center Study Group, Humans, Refractive Errors, Myopia, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Alcohol Oxidoreductases, Homeodomain Proteins, Trans-Activators, Laminin, Receptors, AMPA, Risk Factors, Asian Continental Ancestry Group, European Continental Ancestry Group, KCNQ Potassium Channels, Genome-Wide Association Study, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2, Serine Proteases