Inherited diseases associated with nearsightedness

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Most inherited eye diseases that can cause or be associated with nearsightedness are rare. Common inherited diseases include:

Nyctalopia (night blindness).
Chromatopsia (disease of the cones or rods in the retina).
Nystagmus (rhythmic jerking movements of the eyes).
Keratoconus (progressive thinning of the central cornea, which gives the cornea a conelike appearance).
Retinitis pigmentosa (degeneration of the retina that affects night vision and side [peripheral] vision).
Infantile glaucoma.

Other genetic diseases associated with nearsightedness include:

Certain rare connective tissue disorders.
Albinism, a genetic pigment deficiency that causes milky skin, white hair, and pink or blue eyes.
Down syndrome.
Homocystinuria, a genetic condition that causes developmental delays, failure to thrive, and neurological abnormalities.
Turner syndrome, which causes short stature and lack of sexual development at puberty in females.
Trisomy 22, which causes severe mental retardation and eye defects.

Credits

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Author	Robin Parks, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Last Updated	July 7, 2007

Last updated:	July 07, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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