Australia's Sydney Morning Herald reports that Australian scientists have identified one of the genetic causes of long-sightedness, a breakthrough that could lead to the development of a drug to treat vision loss. Long-sightedness - an inability to see things clearly when they are up close - affects about 10 per cent of the population.

Researchers led by Dr Paul Baird of CERA (affiliated with the University of Melbourne and is located at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital). identified changes in the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene which...are now suspected of playing a disruptive role in the proper development of the eye.