According to a study published in the journal PLOS Genetics, researchers from Cardiff University in the United Kingdom have identified five genetic variants that can enhance the likelihood of becoming nearsighted as children grow older. The author of the study stated that myopia is a leading cause of uncorrectable visual impairment.

In the new study, researchers used the genetic and health data of more than 340,000 participants with European ancestry. They performed a genome-wide study to identify genetic variants that make people more susceptible to becoming nearsighted in combination with intensive schooling.

The findings of the analysis showed five genetic variants that progressively increased the risk of individuals becoming nearsighted. These five variants were directly associated with the time the children spent in school. The results showed that three variants were previously unknown, while two were found in studies of East Asian cohorts, in which 80% of children were found to be nearsighted. 

(Source: https://theprint.in/health/genetics-combined-with-many-years-of-schooling-might-cause-myopia-research/1226991/ )