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Meta-analyses by the CREAM identified multiple new genes associated with refractive error and myopia.

Up to 30% of Western populations and 80% of Asians are short sighted. The genome-wide meta-analyses included over 37000 people from 27 studies of European ancestry and over 8000 from 5 Asian cohorts. 16 mutations that may be responsible for myopia were identified, in genes with functions in neurotransmission, ion transport, retinoic acid metabolism, extracellular matrix remodelling, and eye development.

A study that looked at Australian patients over a 15-year period found that regular use of aspirin was associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration.

However a comment piece questioned whether the study had done enough to show that the association is causal.