Everything about EyeCare: Genetics & Myopia

Everything about EyeCare: Genetics & Myopia

Many people misunderstand the genetic link as a simple YES or No answer. We often hear parents saying "Its not genetic because we don't wear spectacles until secondary school...". Genetic links is always present, they just made us "more" or "less" susceptible to myopia.

Hence if a child needs glass in pre-school, he is probably more susceptible to myopia, and hence prevention more difficult. If a child needs glasses only when he is 9 - 10 years old, he is probably genetically less susceptible to myopia. And if you are able to identify the poor visual activity that may have caused it, determination to follow good visual practice coupled with EyeRelax may give you very good results.

This year's A*star medical research grant, a 3 year duration myopia research to investigate "Genes, gene-environment interactions and myopia in Singapore children," wins the highest grant of $1.73million. As the research investigator Prof Saw said, it is hope that the reseach would "help us identify children with a genetic disposition to myopia and allow us to counsel them earlier before they develop the disease."

While waiting for this multi year research to be concluded, just take good care of eyes now.