Genetics combined with higher education ‘increases risk of short-sightedness’

The experts said the findings raise concerns about the effect spending a lot of time in classrooms may have on children’s eye health.

An expert said there may be ways to help combat or slow down the progression of short-sightedness (Chris Young/PA)

People who get a university degree or go on to higher education after secondary school are at higher risk of becoming short-sighted if they carry a set of five particular genetic variants, according to scientists.

Researchers from Cardiff University have found that those who left school at the age of 15 were less likely to be short-sighted than those who finished their education aged 18.