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An evolutionary analysis of the aetiology and pathogenesis of juvenile-onset myopia

  1. Loren Cordain1,
  2. S. Boyd Eaton2,
  3. Jennie Brand Miller3,
  4. Staffan Lindeberg4,
  5. Clark Jensen5

Article first published online: 12 MAR 2003

DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2002.800203.x

Issue

Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica

Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica

Volume 80, Issue 2, pages 125–135, April 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Cordain, L., Eaton, S. B., Brand Miller, J., Lindeberg, S. and Jensen, C. (2002), An evolutionary analysis of the aetiology and pathogenesis of juvenile-onset myopia. Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, 80: 125–135. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2002.800203.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

  2. 2

    Departments of Radiology and Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

  3. 3

    Department of Biochemistry, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

  4. 4

    Department of Community Medicine, University of Lund, Sweden

  5. 5

    Jensen Optometrists, Grinnell, Iowa, USA

* Loren Cordain, MD Department of Health and Exercise Science Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA Phone: +1-970 491 7436 Fax: +1-970 491 0445 e-mail: cordain@cahs.colostate.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 MAR 2003
  2. Article first published online: 12 MAR 2003
  3. Received on May 14th, 2001.Accepted on December 27, 2001.

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Keywords:

  • myopia;
  • form deprivation;
  • insulin resistance;
  • retinoic acid (RA);
  • retinoic acid receptors (RAR);
  • retinoid X receptors (RXR);
  • hunter gatherers;
  • insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1);
  • insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3)

ABSTRACT.

The available evidence suggests that both genes and environment play a crucial role in the development of juvenile-onset myopia. When the human visual system is examined from an evolutionary perspective, it becomes apparent that humans, living in the original environmental niche for which our species is genetically adapted (as hunter-gatherers), are either slightly hypermetropic or emmetropic and rarely develop myopia. Myopia occurs when novel environmental conditions associated with modern civilization are introduced into the hunter-gatherer lifestyle. The excessive near work of reading is most frequently cited as the main environmental stressor underlying the development of myopia. In this review we point out how a previously unrecognized diet-related malady (chronic hyperinsulinaemia) may play a key role in the pathogenesis of juvenile-onset myopia because of its interaction with hormonal regulation of vitreal chamber growth.

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