Myopia in genes?

Hello Doctor,

                   I am having myopia with the power of -7 in left eye and -6.5 in the right.I also have the cylindrical power. I started wearing glasses when i was 10 years old. My father or mother does not have myopia. I want to know if the myopia is hereditary. Will it affect my children, if i have one in the future. If there is a chance of myopia being hereditary, i shall restrain my idea of getting married,bcoz i dont want my child wearing big glasses as soon as he/she born.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Yes, myopia can be inherited and there is a greater than average chance that  your children might need glasses, HOWEVER, that is the worst reason I have ever heard of to avoid getting married and having children.  Suggest that you should definitely not worry about it.

MJK MD