Corneal Biomechanics as a Causal Factor in Myopia and Astigmatism: Evidence from Mendelian Randomization.

Purpose: The causal relationship between refractive errors and corneal biomechanical properties remains uncertain. This study aimed to clarify this relationship using Mendelian randomization (MR), offering new insights into the prevention and treatment of refractive errors. Design: A bidirectional, 2-sample MR analysis. Participants: Corneal biomechanical data were obtained from 97 653 European participants in the UK Biobank, whereas refractive error data were sourced from the UK Biobank and FinnGen consortia. Methods: The exposures in this study were identified as corneal biomechanical parameters, specifically corneal hysteresis (CH) and the corneal resistance factor (CRF). The outcomes were defined as refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, along with refractive power, encompassing both spherical and cylindrical power. A meta-analysis was performed to combine the MR estimates from both UK Biobank and FinnGen consortia, with heterogeneity assessed using the Q test and I Main Outcome Measures: Corneal hysteresis and CRF as causal factors in myopia and astigmatism. Results: Data from UK Biobank revealed that CH and CRF were protective against the development of myopia (CH: odds ratio (OR) = 0.9936, Conclusions: Corneal biomechanical parameters, particularly CH and CRF, may serve as early biomarkers for predicting myopia. This protective role supports their use in clinical screening to enhance early intervention strategies. Corneal-compensated intraocular pressure is a risk factor for myopia and represents a novel therapeutic target. Future research should clarify the underlying mechanisms and assess biomechanical interventions, potentially transforming refractive error management and reducing visual impairment. Financial Disclosures: The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.