Family Myopia Study

This study will try to identify the gene or genes responsible for myopia (nearsightedness) and to examine the relationship between myopia and near work. Myopia is the most common eye disorder in the world, affecting one in four Americans. Several studies indicate that myopia is inherited. The condition tends to cluster in families, so that studying families with this condition may facilitate finding the exact cause. Caucasian Americans and African Americans with myopia who are in general good health may be eligible for this study. People with a family history of myopia through several generations along one parent s side only, and in which more than one sibling has myopia are preferred. People who have severe diseases that involve myopia, such as Stickler s or Marfan syndromes, retinitis pigmentosa or diabetic retinopathy may not participate. Participants will undergo the following tests and procedures:

• Eye examination, including refraction
• Blood draw for genetic studies and possibly establishment of cell lines (collection of cells grown in the laboratory from an original tissue specimen) for future research
• Myopia Family Study Questionnaire and personal medical information questionnaire to provide information about other medical conditions that may influence the development of myopia; the vision status of their spouse and children, parents and siblings, and spouse s parents and siblings
• Risk Factor Questionnaire (for Jewish Orthodox community only) to assess the amount of near work activity done in childhood