Sixteen of the novel associations are in or near genes implicated in eye development, neuronal development and signaling, the visual cycle of the retina, and general morphology: BMP3, BMP4, DLG2, DLX1, KCNMA1, KCNQ5, LAMA2, LRRC4C, PRSS56, RBFOX1, RDH5, RGR, SFRP1, TJP2, ZBTB38, and ZIC2. These findings point to numerous biological pathways involved in the development of myopia and, in particular, suggest that early eye and neuronal development may lead to the eventual development of myopia in humans. The gene discussed is SFRP1; the disease is myopia.