In a new study, researchers uncovered five genetic variants that enhance the likelihood of becoming nearsighted as children grow older. These findings were published in the open-access journal PLOS Genetics by a team led by Jeremy Guggenheim of Cardiff University in the United Kingdom.

Nearsightedness is linked to various eye problems, making it a primary cause of irreversible visual impairment in the elderly. People frequently acquire nearsightedness as children, and the disease appears to be caused by genetics, insufficient outdoor time, and many years of education.