Genetic associations of corneal astigmatism in Hong Kong Chinese children

This study aims to investigate the associations of multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk and magnitude of corneal astigmatism (CA) in children. A total of 14 SNPs were genotyped in 2167 Chinese children aged 4–11 years, recruited from the Hong Kong Children Eye Study. The main outcomes were allelic associations with the risk of significant CA (≥ 1.0D) and magnitude of CA. Allelic associations with the risk of significant CA and magnitude of CA, respectively, were evaluated in additive model through age- and sex-adjusted logistic and linear regression. Subgroup analysis included sex-stratified analysis and linear trend test across age. FMNL2 rs1579050 was associated with the magnitude of CA (β = 0.158D, Pc = 0.045), and with the magnitude of CA (β = 0.301D, Pc = 0.02) in age quartile 4 in the age subgroup analysis. PDGFRA rs17084051 (P = 0.04) and ZC3H11B rs7525202 (P = 0.01) were associated with linear decrease in CA magnitude across age (P < 0.05 considered statistically significant). This study revealed FMNL2, PDGFRA and ZC3H11B as potential genetic factors for corneal astigmatism among Chinese children, with age-specific effects. Further validation of the findings in large cohorts should be warranted.