Does bad eyesight run in your family? The answer is more complicated than you might think. This is because some eye conditions can be genetic, some can be due to environmental factors, and others are random.
Vision is complicated, so pinpointing it in a family is hard. Like with any inherited genetic traits, your eyesight is determined not by just your parents but their parents, and so on.
Similar environmental factors and habits could also link to a family’s common eyesight problems. UV, air pollutants, and diet play a role in vision. Families are more likely to live and do the same things in the same places, and this can affect eye health.
See, your vision is the result of many complex factors. Researchers are continuously discovering new information about eye conditions. Nevertheless, it’s important to disclose your parents or grandparents’ eye conditions to your optometrists. Don’t feel shy about mentioning any vision patterns you see in your family.
There are some eye conditions that have been shown to be linked to genetics more than others. The best way to avoid complications is to start treatment or be aware of preventative measures you can take early.
A few potential genetic eye conditions:
Colour Blindness
More often than not, colour blindness is genetic. That means if you or someone in your family has it, you are more likely to pass it on to your children than someone with no family history. Colour blindness actually passes through the X chromosome, which means it is more likely to affect men than women.
Strabismus (misaligned eyes)
Strabismus is a condition that affects the muscles and causes eyes to face more inward or outward than they typically would. It keeps the eyes from looking at the same thing at the same time. Somewhere around 30% of children with this condition have a family history of it.
Macular degeneration
Both genetic and environmental factors can cause macular degeneration. However, people who have a parent with this condition are about twice as likely to get it as someone who doesn’t have the condition. Macular degeneration typically appears in older people, so if you have a parent with it, get screened during routine eye exams.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia typically causes one, but sometimes both eyes, to have poor vision. It’s caused by miscommunication between the brain and eyes. This can stem from inherited refractive issues. If you have a child and a family history of amblyopia, you should have your child checked for it up until their 18th birthday.
Glaucoma
Aging eyes are the primary culprit of glaucoma. However, early-onset glaucoma is often caused by pre-existing genetic conditions. Glaucoma occurs when fluid builds up in the eye and pushes on the optic nerve. Glaucoma can cause blindness if it is not treated. So, if you have a family history of glaucoma, you need to tell your optometrist.
Refractive Errors
Refractive errors make it hard to see clearly. The natural shape of your eye essentially causes you to have blurry vision. If you have a refractive error, it is something you have had since birth. One or more parents having a refractive error increases the chances of their children having refractive errors.
Cataracts
Many people assume cataracts are simply caused by environmental factors and age. However, genetics do play a role in how susceptible you may be to developing cataracts. Parents can pass down a genetic mutation that will make it more likely for cataracts to develop.
There are plenty of other eye conditions that could be the result of specific genetic factors. This is why it’s important to tell your optometrist about any eye issues members of your family have had. This way, your optometrist can screen you for related conditions and diseases.
Deciphering eye conditions is challenging due to the fusion of genetic inheritance and external factors. At Lethbridge Vision Centre, we have high-tech tools that let us see the full picture behind your eye health. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Optos ultra-widefield retinal imaging, advanced screening techniques, have emerged as crucial tools, enabling early detection and empowerment of one’s ocular health. Armed with the knowledge and insights tools like OCT and Optos ultra-widefield retinal imaging gives you, you can take control of your eye health.
