[caption id="attachment_4694" align="aligncenter" width="363" caption="Difference between a normal eye and an myopic eye"]
[/caption]Specifically the LEPREL1 gene encodes an enzyme that is responsible for collagen in the eye. Due to a mutation of LEPREL1 and its enzyme, it forms abnormal collagen which causes the eyeball to be longer. Thus, light focuses in front of the retina rather than on the retina itself; therefore, resulting in nearsightedness. I thought this article was interesting because I am nearsighted, so it helped me better understand why my eyesight stinks and I need contacts and glasses. I will be interested to see what further research comes from this study and if there is anything that could be done to prevent myopia.
I also have neasightedness, so this article definitely caught my attention. I did not know it was called Myopia, and that it could result in those secondary eye disorders. Now that I am aware, I will try to keep up with eye exams, for I never regarded them as very important. My mother has extremely bad eyesight, which is where I get my nearsightedness from. Due to the mutation of the LEPREL1 gene, it would be a significant discovery if they could correct this in embryos. Having glasses since 2nd grade, I would not want others to have this inconvenience growing up and for the rest of your life.
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