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Spectacles could soon be a thing of the past for short-sighted persons as scientists have identified a gene that leads to shortsightedness (myopia). This development could prevent or halt the condition by mere use of eye drops. But unfortunately, it is unlikely to happen soon enough and it could take a decade for the therapy to reach the people. That would mean no spectacles, contact lenses or laser surgery for millions.

Shortsightedness or nearsightedness is a condition where distant objects appear blurred and leads to overgrowth of eyeballs. In extreme conditions, it can make a person blind.

Experts at King's College, London, identified the rogue gene as RASGRF1, which was found after comparing the DNA of 4,000 twins in Britain. They then confirmed the results by studying genetics of another 13,000 British, Dutch and Australians. The RASGRF1 plays a major role in development of the eye and the passing of visual signals to the brain for processing.

The study found that 45 per cent Britons have the rogue gene and those who have two copies of it are almost twice as likely to be short-sighted than those who don’t have it.

A scientist, who was part of the study, said, “It is known that those who have short-sighted parents are likely to fall prey to the condition themselves.”

While most myopia cases are mild, about 2 to 3 per cent are pathological cases with retinal detachment, premature glaucoma, macular bleeding, and glaucoma. This leads to even blindness, said a specialist of the severe form of myopia.

However, this innovation could lead to the bankruptcy of companies that make spectacles, contact lenses and solutions and these firms will have to spend substantial funds on innovation in order to stay afloat.

But merely identifying the gene could just be a beginning and we may witness more lab tests, a litany of trials and regulatory bottlenecks that may stretch much beyond the stipulated 10 years before the benefits of the treatment reach the common man. So, it could take quite a while before we that say spectacles could be a thing of the past.