Is myopia or astigmatism hereditary?
Ans: If so, then very young children will be myopic or astigmatic at birth. We also find many children who are myopic, and yet their parents have perfect vision, or vice versa. Also, in a class of Grade (Primary) Ones in Singapore, 75% of the children have perfect vision. By Grade/Primary 6, 50% developed myopia. Therefore, most vision problems are not hereditary. Compare this to the USA, Europe and Australia, the rate of myopia is less than 20% by Grade 6.
