A gene basic to the development of the eye may also hold the key to myopia, British researchers said on Wednesday. They said their findings reinforce the still-debated idea that some children are born susceptible to being nearsighted, and that too much reading or close work can encourage its development. The gene, called PAX6, may be involved in the growth of the eye, the researchers at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London said. Myopia, also called nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is caused when the eyeball grows too long.
