Katerin Ortiz from Marietta Eye Clinic answers a reader’s question about inheriting eye conditions.
My child’s father has a really high prescription, and I am worried my son will also have bad vision. Are eye conditions genetic?
One reason for poor vision in children is near-sightedness, or “myopia,” which is the inability to see objects far away. Studies have shown that there is a higher incidence of near-sightedness when both parents have the condition. However, it also occurs in children where neither parents have the condition. The best recommendation is early detection, which is why every child should have an eye exam and follow your pediatric eye doctor’s instructions.
