Heredity factor in myopia development among a sample in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Genetics
• Public Health

Background:

• Myopia development in children is often linked to parental refractive status.
• This study investigated intergenerational myopia inheritance in the Klang Valley.
• Examined three generations: grandparents (G1), parents (G2), and children (G3).

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the inheritance patterns of myopia across generations.
• To assess the influence of parental myopia on children's refractive status.
• To analyze the prevalence of myopia across three generations.

Main Methods:

• Screened 62 families, selecting 40 for the study based on having at least one myopic member.
• Collected data through questionnaires for G1 and clinical examinations for G2 and G3.
• Determined refractive status via clinical examination for G2 and G3, and questionnaire for G1.

Main Results:

• Myopia prevalence increased from G1 (25.6%) to G3 (41.1%).
• A strong genetic influence was observed between G1 and G2 when both parents were myopic.
• No strong genetic influence was found between G2 and G3, as many children of myopic parents were not myopic.

Conclusions:

• Parental history explains only a small part of myopia development variance.
• Intergenerational myopia inheritance shows complex patterns.
• Further research is needed to understand the multifactorial nature of myopia.