Is congenital astigmatism hereditary?
Nov 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Congenital astigmatism tends to run in families, but it is not absolutely inherited. If one or both parents have astigmatism, their children are at higher risk of developing the condition; however, even if neither parent has astigmatism, a child may still develop congenital astigmatism due to prenatal factors. It is important to monitor children's visual development regularly. Vision screenings should begin after age 3 and be conducted periodically to enable early detection and timely intervention. Good eye-use habits should be encouraged, and children should be prevented from reading picture books up close for prolonged periods.
Congenital astigmatism tends to have a genetic predisposition, but it is not absolutely inherited. If one or both parents have astigmatism, their children are at higher risk of developing the condition; however, even if neither parent has astigmatism, children may still develop congenital astigmatism due to factors during pregnancy. A detailed analysis is as follows:
Astigmatism is a polygenic hereditary eye disorder, and genetic factors are a significant contributing cause. If both parents have astigmatism, the curvature of the child's cornea or lens is more likely to develop irregularly during ocular development, leading to imbalanced refractive power and resulting in congenital astigmatism. This type of astigmatism usually has relatively stable diopter values and is often detected in early childhood.
Even when neither parent has astigmatism, children may still develop congenital astigmatism. Maternal viral infections, inadequate nutrition, or exposure to harmful substances such as chemicals or radiation during pregnancy can interfere with fetal eye development, causing abnormal corneal shape and subsequently leading to astigmatism. This form of astigmatism is not directly related to genetics and occurs sporadically.
In daily life, attention should be paid to children's visual development. Regular vision check-ups should begin after age three to enable early detection and timely intervention. Good eye-use habits should be cultivated—avoid prolonged close-up reading of picture books or excessive use of electronic devices, ensure adequate and soft lighting in the visual environment, and encourage activities such as gazing into the distance or performing eye exercises to relieve eye fatigue.
