On Father’s Day, we celebrate our dads, grandfathers, uncles, and other fatherly figures who helped shape our lives. Whether your father taught you how to ride a bike or grill the perfect burger, he may also have passed down something less visible: Your risk for eye diseases and chronic health conditions that can affect your vision.

Since June is Men’s Health Month, it’s a good opportunity to talk with your dad about your family health history, which plays an important role in eye care. Many eye diseases have a genetic factor and tend to run in families. If dear old Dad has a health issue, it often increases your chances of developing that same condition. Knowing your father’s health history can help your optometrist monitor your vision more closely and catch problems earlier, when treatment is often most effective.

So, this Father’s Day, consider asking your dad, “What eye or health conditions run in our family?”

Why Your Father’s Health History Matters

It’s a fact: Genetics influence your eye health. A family history of eye disease may elevate your risk for serious conditions that can result in blindness, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal disease.

Even chronic health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure — not technically “eye diseases” — can damage your vision over time if you don’t keep them well-controlled.

Knowing your family history can help your optometrist:

• Watch for early warning signs.
• Create a personalized, preventative care plan.
• Protect your long-term vision through prevention and early detection.

Glaucoma Often Runs in Families

Glaucoma, an eye disease known as the “silent thief of sight,” can cause permanent vision loss before you even notice any symptoms. But your optometrist can detect the very early stages of the disease during a comprehensive eye exam.

People with a family history of glaucoma have a significantly increased likelihood of developing glaucoma themselves.

Glaucoma is associated with increased pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve. Because vision loss from glaucoma cannot be reversed, early detection is especially critical.

So, while you’re enjoying a cookout or baseball game this Father’s Day, ask your dad:

• Has anyone in our family been diagnosed with glaucoma?
• Did your parents lose their vision later in life?
• Does anyone in our family use prescription eye drops for eye pressure?

At your annual comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist monitors your eye pressure, optic nerve health, and peripheral vision, three telltale signs of glaucoma. An annual eye exam could truly save your vision.

Macular Degeneration Has a Strong Genetic Link

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects your sharp, central vision and can make reading, driving, or even recognizing faces difficult.

According to the National Eye Institute, genetic factors contribute significantly to your AMD risk.

If your father or grandfather developed AMD, be sure to share that information with your optometrist.

Healthy habits can also help reduce the risk of developing AMD, so make sure you:

• Wear sunglasses that block 100% UVA and UVB rays – every day of the year.
• Avoid smoking. Quit now!
• Eat those leafy green vegetables and foods rich in antioxidants.
• Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams.

Nearsightedness and Astigmatism Can Be Inherited

If your dad wore thick glasses or struggled to see road signs clearly, those same genes may play a role in your own vision.

Myopia (nearsightedness) often runs in families. Children with one or both nearsighted parents are more likely to develop myopia themselves. Astigmatism is a condition that causes blurred vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea, which you can also inherit from your parents’ genes.

Myopia and astigmatism can show up in your kids, too. Scheduling an eye exam to ensure your children have excellent visual acuity so they can learn well in school and excel in sports is one more way you can be a great parent.

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Can Damage Vision

Some chronic systemic health conditions inherited from your father also increase your risk for eye disease.

Type 2 diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure) run in families and can seriously affect eye health over time. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.

High blood pressure can damage delicate retinal blood vessels and increase your risk of vision loss and stroke-related eye complications.

Even if you believe you have “perfect vision,” it’s still a best practice to schedule regular eye exams. Your eye doctor can detect early changes in the tiny structures of your eyes before symptoms become noticeable and more difficult to treat.

Color Vision Deficiency Runs in Families

Once called “color-blindness,” color vision deficiency is inherited and affects men at a much higher rate than women: 1 in 12 men but only 1 in 200 women are affected. The condition makes reds, greens, yellows and browns all look similar to one another and difficult to distinguish.

Many people don’t realize they have mild color vision deficiency until adulthood. (Wondering if you have the condition? Try this free online test.)

If your father or grandfather had trouble identifying colors, let your optometrist know during your next eye exam.

What Your Optometrist Sees During Your Annual Eye Exam Matters

One of the most important gifts you can give yourself and your family is protecting your vision through preventive care. While examining your eyes, your optometrist can detect:

• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Macular degeneration
• Retinal disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Signs of neurological conditions, and even cancer

Since many eye diseases develop gradually and without pain or symptoms, routine exams are essential even when your vision seems fine.

This Father’s Day, enjoy celebrating and sharing memories. But also make it a point to discuss your family health history. A simple conversation with your father today could help protect your vision for decades to come.