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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- If you rely on glasses or contacts to see clearly, your children may have to as well. A groundbreaking study reveals heredity may be a primary cause of nearsightedness, and two other studies with updates on eye health.
Australian researchers identified genes in chromosome 5 that influence axial length, a measurement from the front to the back of the eye, which is a key factor in vision. Axial length longer than normal results in nearsightedness while shorter than normal axial length results in farsightedness. Among 893 participants, researchers found genetic factors explained about 80 percent of axial length measurements.
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In another study, researchers at Johns Hopkins assessed the use of specific dietary supplements in individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye condition that causes central vision loss. They found nearly 40 percent of those likely to benefit were either not taking them or not using the recommended dosage. Experts say if more people with the disease took supplements like vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and zinc, about 300,000 people in the United States could avoid advanced AMD within 5 years.
Theres also good news for patients with optic neuritis, a sudden-onset eye disease often associated with multiple sclerosis. A study conducted by the Optic Neuritis Group found those who suffered an acute attack of this disease have a favorable chance of recovering good vision.
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SOURCE: Ophthalmology, 2008;115:1053-1057,1032-1038, 1079-1082
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
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