Electrical responses from human retinal cone pathways associate with a common genetic polymorphism implicated in myopia

Abstract

Significance Myopia prevalence has increased dramatically over recent decades. Genome-wide association studies have identified numerous loci, but mechanisms by which genotypic identity confers myopia susceptibility are unknown. The common variant most strongly associated with myopia is near a gene encoding retinal gap junctions. We analyzed retinal electrophysiological responses from 186 twins genotyped at this locus, finding association between cone-driven, but not rod-driven, electroretinogram signals and allelic genotype. Examination of responses to further, nonstandard testing protocols, together with recordings from patients with selective loss of bipolar cell signals, points to an effect on cone-driven hyperpolarizing (“OFF”) signals. The pattern of retinal expression of this gene appears consistent with these findings, which support a potential role for altered cone-driven signaling in myopia development.