Dozens of genes linked to short-sightedness have been found, researchers reported last night.
In total 24 new genes have been linked to the problem, known medically as myopia, in a global project led by scientists in London, UK.
The problem is more widespread in Asia than in Europe, affecting about 30% of Europeans and up to 80% of Asians.
But the researchers, reporting in Nature Genetics, say the same genes are causing the problem across the two continents.
The researchers analysed details of more than 45,000 people collected in 32 different studies.
Researcher Professor Chris Hammond, of King’s College London, said: "It is an extremely exciting step forward which could potentially lead to better treatments or prevention in the future for millions around the world.
"We already knew that myopia – or short-sightedness – tends to run in families, but until now we knew little about the genetic causes.
"This study reveals for the first time a group of new genes that are associated with myopia and that carriers of some of these genes have a 10-fold increased risk of developing the condition."
He added: "Currently myopia is corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but now we understand more about the genetic triggers for the condition we can begin to explore other ways to correct it or prevent progression."
Genome-wide meta-analyses of multiancestry cohorts identify multiple new susceptibility loci for refractive error and myopia. Nature Genetics 10 February 2013; doi: 10.1038/ng.2554
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