Thinning Cornea: Keratoconus (McComish, 2019)

Reports / By
photograph of eye

STUDY TITLE: Association of Genetic Variation With Keratoconus 

SUMMARY: Discovery of 3 genetic regions associated with keratoconus, an eye condition characterized by thinning of the cornea.

OVERVIEW: The cornea is a thin, clear layer of tissue that covers the front of the eye. Like a car’s windshield, the cornea enables you to see clearly while protecting the inner parts of the eye. Keratoconus is a disease characterized by thinning and deformation of the cornea which can lead to blurry vision and nearsightedness. This genome-wide association study sought to discover variants associated with an increased risk of developing keratoconus. By examining the genetic information of nearly 6,000 individuals, researchers identified 3 genetic regions associated with the condition.

DID YOU KNOW? Long term use of contact lenses can lead to a reduced thickness of the cornea. Limiting the use of contact lenses to a maximum of 14-16 hours per day can help reduce this and other harmful effects. [SOURCE]

SAMPLE RESULTS: Learn more about the Nebula Research Library.

keratoconus sample results

KERATOCONUS-ASSOCIATED VARIANTS: rs138378, rs61876744, rs10831500

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Keratoconus

WEEKLY UPDATE: January 3, 2020

About The Author

Garrett Dunlap earned a B.S. in Biology from Case Western Reserve University with a minor in Political Science. He earned an M.S. and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Ph.D. program at Harvard University. He has experience in science policy as an intern at the Science and Innovation Network where he assisted in the science diplomacy functions of the British Consulate-General and as a research associate at TScan Therapeutics. He is also interested in science communication and writing. You can read more about Garrett's experience and publications on LinkedIn and ORCID.