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Open Access 01-08-2019 | Refractive Errors | OPHTHALMIC EPIDEMIOLOGY

Interaction between lifestyle and genetic susceptibility in myopia: the Generation R study

Authors: Clair A. Enthoven, Jan Willem Lodewijk Tideman, Jan Roelof Polling, Milly S. Tedja, Hein Raat, Adriana I. Iglesias, Virginie J. M. Verhoeven, Caroline C. W. Klaver

Published in: European Journal of Epidemiology | Issue 8/2019

Abstract

Myopia is a refractive error of the eye caused by a complex interplay between nature and nurture. The aim of this study was to investigate whether environmental risk factors can influence the genetic effect in children developing myopia. A total of 3422 children participating in the birth-cohort study Generation R underwent an extensive eye examination at 9 years with measurements of refractive error and axial length corneal radius ratio (AL/CR). Environmental risk factors were evaluated using a questionnaire, and environmental risk scores (ERS) were calculated using backward regression analyses. Genetic risk scores (GRS) were calculated based on all currently known risk variants for myopia. Gene-environment interaction (G×E) was investigated using linear and logistic regression analyses. The predictive value of G×E and parental myopia was estimated using receiver operating characteristic curves. Myopia prevalence was 12%. Both GRS (P < 0.01) and ERS (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with myopia and AL/CR, as was G×E interaction (P < 0.01 for myopia; P = 0.07 for AL/CR). The predictive value of parental myopia was 0.67 (95% CI 0.65–0.70), similar to the values of GRS (0.67; 95% CI 0.64–0.70; P = 0.98) and ERS (0.69; 95% CI 0.66–0.72; P = 0.98). Adding G×E interaction significantly improved the predictive value to 0.73 (95% CI 0.70–0.75; P < 0.01). This study provides evidence that nature and nurture are equally important for myopia and AL/CR; however, the combination has the strongest influence. Since myopia genes are common in the population, adjustment of lifestyle should be a major focus in the prevention of myopia.

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Title: Interaction between lifestyle and genetic susceptibility in myopia: the Generation R study
Authors: Clair A. Enthoven
Jan Willem Lodewijk Tideman
Jan Roelof Polling
Milly S. Tedja
Hein Raat
Adriana I. Iglesias
Virginie J. M. Verhoeven
Caroline C. W. Klaver
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Keyword: Refractive Errors
Published in: European Journal of Epidemiology / Issue 8/2019
Print ISSN: 0393-2990
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7284
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-019-00512-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Interaction between lifestyle and genetic susceptibility in myopia: the Generation R study

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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