Unfortunately, some eye conditions are hereditary. If a parent, sibling, or grandparent has or had eye problems, you and your children are at a higher risk of poor eye health. However, knowing your family is at greater risk puts you at an advantage with early diagnosis and treatment to prevent, stop, or slow the progression of some types of eye disease. Here are a few things you need to know about hereditary eye diseases.
Common Eye Diseases that Are Hereditary
There are more than 350 hereditary eye diseases that could interfere with vision from birth through adulthood. Research shows that some of the most common eye conditions are genetically determined. These conditions include:
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Astigmatism
More than 60% of blindness among infants is caused by inherited eye diseases, such as congenital glaucoma, congenital cataracts, and eye malformations, among others. Adults might be at a higher risk of developing glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration because of a familial history of these eye diseases. These conditions are two of the leading causes of vision loss among adults.
Early Detection is Key to Preventing Vision Loss
For many adults, it can be easy to not notice gradual changes in their vision. While everyone should have regular comprehensive eye exams, these exams are crucial for preventing vision loss for those at higher risk of hereditary eye diseases. Early detection is essential to treating eye conditions that may lead to blindness.
Schedule your next eye exam at Valley Eyecare Center. Call us at (602) 955-2700 or schedule your appointment online.
