Associations of GJD2 and RASGRF1 gene variants with refractive errors

Abstract

Introduction Most of our information about the world around us comes from our visual system. When this system functions well, relevant objects in our field of vision are imaged and focused on the retina. Refractive errors are among the most frequent treatable “diseases” [1]. Refractive errors occur when the refractive system of the eye fails to correctly focus rays of light from an object onto the retinal plane [2]. Refractive errors are the most common vision defect affecting all age groups and their number is always growing [3]. Knowledge of the prevalence of refractive errors and risk factors can help plan effective measures to reduce them. Aim To identify GJD2 (rs634990, rs524952) and RASGRF1 (rs8027411, rs4778879, rs28412916) gene variants in subjects with refractive errors and control subjects. To evaluate the significance of GJD2 (rs634990, rs524952) and RASGRF1 (rs8027411, rs4778879, rs28412916) gene variants for ocular refractive errors. To evaluate the associations of GJD2 (rs634990, rs524952) and RASGRF1 (rs8027411, rs4778879, rs28412916) gene variants with the degree of myopia and hyperopia. Methods The study included 373 individuals with refractive errors and 104 ophthalmologically healthy subjects. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes using the salting- out method. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method was chosen for genotyping. Statistical calculations and analysis of the results were performedusing ”IBM SPSS Statistics“ software.