The Gene Responsible For Myopia Found!

This is one happy day for me!! Finally, I hear this news that the rogue gene which is responsible for myopia has been found and the cure is possible, that too hopefully in next ten years…. am truely happy to know this….. I hoped and wished and prayed for this to happen.

If you don’t wear spectacles, may be then you cannot understand what am I saying. Let me tell this. Myopia, ie, shortsightedness is the most common eye disorder in the world. It was always believed to be caused by watching too much TV, reading in dim light or too much reading or even deficiency of Vitamin-A. However, the possibility of it being genetic was not ruled out, but in the absense of any scientific discovery, it was not confirmed. But now, finally, the UK scientists have found the responsible gene, RASGRF1, which is a big big research outcome.

Myopia has affected a big proportion of people all over the world, with literally, no fault of the person, as it is acquired through genes. Sometimes, the defect in not visible in the parent but does get passed on to the child. My family is one such example where the gene runs through generations.

Personally speaking, it was very difficult for me to grow up with spectacles, more so, because my mother was worried about my future! And not to forget those funny names I got in school because of my specs. (I have written about this in this post). She always believed, I should have more of carrots, spinach juice, half boiled eggs, milk, almonds, not to mention the desi nuskhe, the tona and totka! But nothing worked on me.

Finally, marrying a non-specy guy was the only safe option, but that didnot work in my case! When I came to know my little son will have to wear specs all his life, just like me, when he was just 2-3 yrs old, I was in tears. I never wanted my kids to go through this. I was so helpless, but hopeful about the advancement of technology in this field.

Finally this day has come and there is hope. When I read this news, this morning in the newspaper, my kids were sleeping. I woke them up then and there and told them about the research. Needless to say they were equally excited, and yes, they were not grumpy for a change!

I am sure, as is being claimed too, eye drops of medicines will be made in next 10 years for the once who have specs, and some genetic engineering would be available for the prospective parents also to avoid passing on of this gene to the next generation.

I know there other life threatening ailments, which are bigger issues, as they are fatal in nature, much serious than this one. And I sincerely hope and pray that scientists be able to find cure to all such diseases.

RESTLESS MIND