Maybe you remember a biology class exercise about dominant and recessive genes in eye color—how you could trace your parents’ and grandparents’ eye colors and see how yours fit in. But what about other traits, like nearsightedness or astigmatism? Are those inherited, too?
Or when a parent talks about losing their central vision to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or having a retinal detachment, it can feel personal, and raise the question, “Could this happen to me?” Understanding which genetic eye conditions are linked to your family history can give you the knowledge and power to protect your vision.
From common issues like AMD to rarer inherited retinal diseases, many vision problems have a genetic component. Let’s explore which eye conditions run in families, how they’re passed down, and why knowing your family’s eye health is important.
A Look at Genetic Eye Conditions
The most common eye condition is refractive error, in which the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina. Refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. In 2013, a research study by Nature Genetics, in which scientists analyzed the data from 32 previous studies, discovered at least 24 new genes associated with refractive error, adding them to the two already known.
Here are some of the more common eye conditions that are at least partially due to genetics:
1. Myopia (Nearsightedness)
If you struggle to see faraway objects clearly, and so do your parents, it’s probably not a fluke. Recent research says that if neither of your parents is nearsighted, you have only about a 2.5% chance of being nearsighted. If one of your parents is, your chances increase to about 20%; if both of your parents are, your chances jump to about 33%, or 1 in 3.
2. Hyperopia (Farsightedness) and Astigmatism
These two often go hand-in-hand with family traits. Genetics can influence the shape of your eye, which determines whether light focuses properly on the retina. Twin studies suggest about 60% of astigmatism is inherited, and genes like PDE11A have been associated with farsightedness. Farsightedness is one of the eye conditions in the category of refractive error. Researchers now have evidence that that it is among the conditions that are genetically determined.
3. Astigmatism
In a study of 500 sets of twins, British scientists at the Twin Research Unit at St. Thomas Hospital found that heredity is responsible for 50% of cases of astigmatism, in which the shape of the eye deviates from the ideal and cannot reflect light to the retina properly.
3. Color Blindness
Color blindness—especially red-green color deficiency—is most often inherited in an X-linked pattern, which means it affects males much more frequently than females. Why? Because males have only one X chromosome. If that chromosome carries the mutation, they’ll express it.
4. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD affects central vision and is a leading cause of blindness in adults over 60 which happens when the central part of the retina begins to deteriorate. It appears to be inherited in a large percentage of cases, and researchers are beginning to identify the genes involved. Genetics play a huge role: certain variants on genes like CFH and ARMS2 can triple your risk. If a close relative has AMD, your chances of developing it are significantly higher.
5. Glaucoma
Often called the “silent thief of sight,” primary open-angle glaucoma can progress without symptoms until vision loss occurs. If you have a family history of primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common kind, you are four to nine times more likely to get it than someone without that family history. There are forms of pediatric glaucoma, however, that are not hereditary but instead caused by injury, surgery or another condition.
6. Inherited Retinal Diseases
Rare but serious, these conditions include:
-
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP): Causes gradual loss of peripheral vision and night vision. It can be passed down in dominant, recessive, or X-linked patterns.
-
Stargardt Disease: Affects central vision, usually in children or young adults. It’s inherited in an autosomal recessive way, meaning both parents must be carriers.
7. Cataracts
Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s natural lens which are most commonly associated with aging, but genetics can play a role, especially if they develop earlier than usual. If your parents or siblings had cataracts in their 50s or needed surgery before the typical age, you may be at higher risk.
There are also congenital cataracts, which are present at birth or early childhood and are usually inherited. Certain gene mutations, such as CRYAA or BFSP2, can affect the proteins in the lens, leading to clouding. Cataracts are also more common in families with certain genetic conditions.
8. Dry eye
Dry eye syndrome can be caused by environmental factors, both in the short- and long-term, as well as by aging, smoking, and Sjorgren’s syndrome. However, a 2014 study of nearly 4,000 sets of female twins by Nature Genetics found that genes had a 30% to 40% impact on whether an individual would be affected.
Some eye conditions are affected by what happens in your life, such as the environmental elements to which you are exposed, whether you smoke, or whether you are overweight. Dry eye syndrome, for example, can be exacerbated by living in the desert. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that smokers are twice as likely to develop macular degeneration and two to three times more likely to develop cataracts than a nonsmoker.
Gender Differences in Eye Conditions
Although color blindness affects more males than females, the reverse is true for eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. The American Foundation for the Blind’s Women’s Eye Health Task Force says that nearly two-thirds of all visually impaired or blind people are women. One reason is that many eye diseases are age-related, and women tend to live longer than men.
Other conditions, such as dry eye syndrome, are affected by hormones. And women tend to have more autoimmune disorders than men, which often affect vision.
Less Common Genetic Eye Conditions
There are some less common eye disorders and conditions that are hereditary. Among them are:
- Achromatopsia: Affects a person’s ability to see color at all
- Albinism: The level of pigment in a person’s skin, eyes and hair is not typical
- Choroideremia: Affects blood supply to the retina
- Cone-rod dystrophy: Causes deterioration of cells in the retina
- Corneal dystrophies: Corneas lose their clarity and become cloudy
- Keratoconus: Thins the cornea and causes it to bulge outward over time
- Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration: Has some similarities to macular degeneration, but also affects peripheral vision
- Retinoblastoma: A malignant tumor in the eye, primarily in young children
- Stargardt’s Disease: Comprises the central vision of the eye and can cause blind spots, decreased sharpness and decreased color vision.
Inherited vs. Preventable: What You Can Do
You can’t change your DNA, but you can absolutely change your eye health outlook by staying proactive. Many genetic eye conditions can be caught early, slowed down, or even managed effectively if you know what to look for and take steps to protect your vision.
Here’s how to stay one step ahead:
1. Get regular comprehensive eye exams
Don’t wait for symptoms to show up—especially if you have a family history of conditions like glaucoma, AMD, or retinal disease. Early detection often means better outcomes. Annual eye exams can catch changes long before you notice anything yourself.
2. Talk to your eye doctor about your family history
It might not seem like a big deal, but sharing your family’s eye health history is just as important as your vision test or eye pressure reading. Your provider may recommend earlier, or more frequent screenings based on your risk level.
3. Encourage family members to get checked
Genetic eye conditions should not stop with you. Talk with your parents, siblings, and children about your findings—and encourage them to schedule their own eye exams. It’s especially important for younger family members, since early intervention can prevent long-term issues.
4. Consider genetic testing for inherited eye diseases
If your family has a history of rare or serious eye diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa or Stargardt disease, ask your provider whether genetic screening or counseling is appropriate. It can give you valuable answers and help guide your care.
5. Protect your vision through healthy habits
Even with strong genetic risk, lifestyle still matters. Protecting your eyes daily can delay or reduce the impact of hereditary conditions. Related >> Everyday Things You Can Do to Improve Your Vision Naturally
If you have questions about your quality of vision, Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center is ready to provide you with top quality vision care no matter where you are in the state of Arizona.