What Eye Conditions Run in Families and Why it is Important to Know

Have you ever filled out a form at your healthcare provider, and they asked about your family health history? When you fill out the form, you usually consider whether any close relatives had cancer, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, but your family health history does not stop there. 

Knowing what eye diseases may run in your family is also important for your eye health. Having a blood relative with a history of certain eye diseases may also increase your risk. 
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Learning your family's eye health history can lead to earlier diagnosis, effective treatment, and the preservation of vision. Continue reading for an examination of the importance of family eye health history, including what diseases have a hereditary component. 

What eye diseases have a hereditary connection? 

Certain eye diseases may have hereditary connections. This means that having a family member with the eye disease may increase your risk of developing a similar condition. 

Eye diseases with a hereditary component include the following.  

Glaucoma: According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, about 50% of glaucoma cases are familial. This suggests a strong hereditary connection. Glaucoma usually involves elevated eye pressure, which can damage the optic nerve, but glaucoma can also occur in people who have normal eye pressure. 

Age-related macular degeneration: AMD causes a breakdown or deterioration of the macula. When the macula breaks down, it affects central vision, which is essential for activities such as driving and reading.  According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, having a family history of the disease is a risk factor. 

Cataracts: Cataracts develop when the lens in the eye becomes cloudy. Most cataracts develop in people over 60. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, having a sibling or parent with a history of cataracts significantly increases your risk of developing the condition. 
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​FAQ

Does having a family history of an eye disease mean you will get it too?

Having a family history does not guarantee that you will develop a particular eye condition. But it can indicate an increased risk and knowing your family history can lead to earlier screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

At what age should I start monitoring inherited eye diseases?

The age to start monitoring depends on the specific eye condition and other risk factors you may have. However, individuals with a strong family history of an eye disease benefit from a comprehensive eye exam as soon as possible. 

Is a genetic and hereditary eye disease the same thing? 

Genetic and hereditary are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing. A genetic condition means the cause is a gene alteration that can occur spontaneously or be inherited from a family member. A hereditary condition means that the mutated gene was passed down through a family. 

What should you do if you have a family history of eye diseases? 

If you have a family history of eye disease, earlier screening and monitoring are often recommended. It is also critical to make certain lifestyle modifications, such as 

• Reducing UV exposure by wearing sunglasses
• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Not smoking 

Knowing your family health history helps your eye doctor determine what screenings are needed and how often. If you would like to schedule an eye appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.