7 Eye Problems You Can Pass to Your Children

Not all vision issues are passed down from generation to generation, but parents can pass several common eye problems on to their children. While you can’t change your genetics, you can make sure your child’s eyes are well cared for. 

Dr. Debbie Simon, Dr. Emily Davis, and Dr. Romaya Ahmed offer pediatric eye care here at Eye Q Optique. If you’re starting to see signs of a problem, such as increased squinting in your child or headache complaints, we encourage you to schedule an exam. Many eye problems can be addressed quickly with corrective lenses or glasses at our Kids’ Optique.

Here are seven eye problems you can pass to your children:

1. Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness (myopia) causes distant objects to appear blurry, while close-up vision remains clear, and it’s one of the most common types of refractive errors. 

Myopia often develops in childhood and tends to worsen as the eyes grow. Currently, 5% of preschoolers and 9% of elementary-aged kids have myopia, but researchers estimate that 50% of the population will have myopia by 2050.

If you or your partner is nearsighted, your child has a higher risk of developing the condition. The good news is that regular eye exams during childhood can help catch myopia early. This means your child can get glasses to improve their vision, eliminate headaches from squinting, and reduce school stress from vision troubles.

2. Farsightedness

The opposite of nearsightedness is farsightedness (hyperopia), which occurs when distant objects are seen clearly, but close-up tasks are difficult. 

If you or your partner has farsightedness, there’s a higher chance that your child can develop the condition. This too can be easily diagnosed during an eye exam.

3. Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a refractive error that causes blurry vision at all distances (not just near or far) due to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. It’s often hereditary and can accompany either myopia or hyperopia. 

If you have astigmatism, there’s a good chance your children might inherit it.

4. Strabismus 

Strabismus makes one eye drift in a different direction from the other. It can drift either inward or outward. Because of this, strabismus is often called “crossed eyes.” This can be inherited and often presents in early childhood. 

Note: Some newborns appear to have crossed eyes, but this usually resolves within three months.

If left untreated, strabismus can lead to amblyopia, where your child’s brain begins to favor one eye over the other.

5. Color vision deficiency 

Color vision deficiency, sometimes referred to as blindness, affects your child’s ability to distinguish certain colors, especially red and green. It’s more common in males because the gene responsible for color vision is located on the X chromosome. Specifically, mutations on OPN1LW (for red) and OPN1MW (for green) contribute to color vision deficiency. 

If you have a family history of color blindness, it’s possible that your children could inherit it. While there’s no cure for color blindness, early diagnosis can help your child adapt to the condition with educational tools, visual aids, and safety information.

6. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss. It’s more common in older adults, but certain types of glaucoma can be passed down to your child.

Primary congenital glaucoma can develop in newborns (where the increased intraocular pressure develops in utero), as an infant up to age 36 months, or between the ages of 3 and 18.

If you have a personal or family history of glaucoma, regular eye exams are important for both you and your child. Glaucoma can be diagnosed by checking eye pressure during an exam.

7. Cataracts

While cataracts are most commonly associated with aging, some forms of cataracts can be inherited and develop in childhood or early adulthood. Congenital cataracts, for example, are present at birth and can cause cloudy vision.

Just like cataracts in adults, congenital cataracts can be corrected surgically. 

How to protect your child’s vision

If you or your partner has any of these hereditary conditions, it’s important to have your children’s eyes checked regularly. That being said, understand that your children aren’t destined to develop these conditions just because you have one of them. 

Many factors affect pediatric vision, and thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to protect it. You might consider:

• Keeping regular eye exam appointments

• Spending time outdoors (which helps prevent and slow down issues like myopia)

• Serving your kids foods rich in vitamins E, C, and A 

• Encouraging your child to wear sunglasses, sports glasses, and/or protective eyewear when appropriate 

If you have concerns about your child’s eye health or would like to schedule a pediatric eye exam, call our Chicago or Buffalo Grove, Illinois, location, or click here to book online.