Knowing Your Family Eye Health History

​Several factors can play a role in your chances of developing an eye disease. Your lifestyle choices, such as whether you smoke, exercise, and protect your eyes from UV rays, affect your risk of developing eye problems. Fortunately, many of these risk factors are controllable. But your family history also may increase your risk of certain diseases. 

​Why You Should Know Your Family Eye Health History 

If you have a close blood relative with certain eye conditions, you may be at an increased risk of developing disease. Although you cannot change your genetics, knowing your family’s eye health history is essential. By knowing your family history, you can take certain precautions and follow your doctor’s recommendations to get more frequent eye exams. 
​

Genetic Eye Diseases 

Our genes determine the color of our eyes and how tall we are. They are what make us unique. Our genetic information also can affect our health, including our eye health. There are many types of genetic eye diseases, including the following:

Childhood cataracts: Childhood cataracts can develop at any point and they are thought to have a genetic root. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye, which interferes with vision. Symptoms include blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and trouble seeing at night.

Congenital glaucoma: According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, congenital glaucoma is rare. It occurs due to abnormal development of the drainage system in the eye. This incorrect development causes increased eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. Symptoms include excessive tearing, eye sensitivity, and cloudy vision.

Hereditary optic neuropathy: Hereditary optic neuropathy causes vision loss. Usually, vision loss occurs in one eye first and later develops in the other. Symptoms include problems with peripheral vision, blurred vision, and a decrease in sharpness of vision.

Strabismus: Strabismus involves eyes that point in different directions and are not correctly aligned. For example, one eye might point downward. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the condition occurs in about four percent of kids and runs in families. 
​

How to Learn About Your Family’s Eye Health History 

The easiest way to find out about your family’s eye health history is to ask your parents. If possible, determine whether they or their parents have any form of eye disease. It is also important to understand that many eye diseases can develop even if you do not have a genetic predisposition for the condition.

It might not always be possible to find out your family’s eye health history. Another option to determine if you are at an increased risk is by taking the genetic eye disease test (GEDi). The test detects various genetic mutations to determine your risk of several inherited eye diseases. It cannot predict whether you will develop the disease. But it does determine whether you carry the gene and have the potential to develop the condition. 
​

Steps to Take if You Have a Family History of Eye Health Problems 

Many genetic eye conditions develop in childhood. But in some cases, conditions may occur later in life. Just because you have a family history of an eye disease does not mean it is inevitably going to affect you. But it is still essential to take certain steps to decrease your risk. Consider the following tips:

• Get regular eye exams: Regular eye exams can help diagnose eye conditions even before serious symptoms develop. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent vision loss in some cases. 
• Don’t smoke: Smoking is bad for your eye health. If you are genetically at an increased risk of an eye disease, smoking increases your risk further.
• Exercise: Exercise is good for your overall well-being and also your eye health. Doing all you can to keep your eyes healthy helps reduce your risk of eye problems. 
• Wear sunglasses: Exposure to UV rays from the sun increases your risk of eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Wearing sunglasses and protecting your eyes from UV rays can lower your risk.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please phone our office at 508-746-8600.