Vision Therapy in South Lake Union

Does Myopia Run in Families?

(206) 420-7366

Exploring the Hereditary Nature of Myopia

Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a visual condition that results in blurry distance vision while nearby objects remain clear. Concerns about your child's sight often lead to the question: Does myopia run in families? Understanding the genetic aspects of myopia is crucial for proactive management.

kids in classroom


mom reading book to child

The Genetic Factor

Myopia does indeed have a genetic link. If one or both parents have myopia, the likelihood of their children developing this condition increases. When both parents have myopia, the risk is even greater. Indeed, the genetic factors contributing to myopia can pass from generation to generation.

Environmental Factors

Lifestyle choices and daily habits can significantly impact myopia development and progression. Excessive screen time, a lack of outdoor activities, and prolonged periods of near work, such as reading or studying, can increase the risk of myopia.

Children are especially susceptible to environmental factors as their visual systems are still developing. These external influences can work in tandem with genetics, shaping how myopia progresses over time.


Myopia Management in South Lake Union

Our optometry practice in South Lake Union

Photograph of Sean  Thoreby
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross
  • First Choice Health

Early Intervention is Key to Myopia Control

Knowing your family's myopia history can help you seek early intervention. Effective strategies can manage and control its progression, even with a genetic predisposition.

  • Lifestyle Adjustments

    Simple lifestyle changes, like reducing screen time and increasing outdoor activities, can reduce myopia progression and protect your child's visual health.

  • Dietary Choices

    Nutritional adjustments, such as a diet rich in eye-healthy nutrients, can support your child's vision and contribute to myopia management.

  • Regular Eye Exams

    Scheduling routine eye exams allows for early detection and timely intervention, which is crucial in managing myopia.

  • Educational Support

    Providing information and support about myopia to family and friends can raise awareness, foster understanding, and create a network of care.


Patient Reviews
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175 Reviews
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- Apr. 30, 2024
Warm and friendly staff. Doctors are super patient with you, answer all your questions and also help... you understand your eye exam results.
- Apr. 11, 2024
Love this place. Staff is always so friendly and knowledgeable. Can't recommend enough
- Apr. 04, 2024
I had an appointment to get fitted for contact lenses for the first time and my experience was great... ! Everyone was so nice (Dr. Yu, Anna, and receptionist I didn’t catch the name of). They all took their time explaining everything I needed to know about contacts and were patient and helpful teaching me how to put them in and care for them. Thank you guys!
- Mar. 01, 2024
A great place for eye exams & purchasing frames and lenses. Great experience.
- Feb. 05, 2024
When I left my job, I didn't go to Urban Optix for a couple years. But I couldn't find a place that ... had the same service and vibe. This is such a sweet place. They are quick, fun, and have great taste. And they always ask about my dog/child. lol.
- Feb. 05, 2024
Great !!! Everything
- Jan. 21, 2024
I recently came to Urban Optix as a new patient and had an amazing experience! I scheduled my appoin... tment online, and had my annual exam with Dr. Lee. She is amazing, and so thorough and kind! She took her time to explain everything, and was extremely patient in answering all my questions—no matter how big or small. I love finding great doctors that actually care, and no doubt I’ve found a good one with Dr. Lee. I also wanted to give contacts a try after 10+ years of glasses, so we did it. Anna was training me and she was the kindest, most patient teacher ever. She was giving me love demos with her own contacts, and never once made me feel like a nuisance. It took me an hour to get them in, and after an hour of trying to get them out Dr. Lee had to help, lol. But that’s on me, they were doing nothing but being supportive and cheering me on. I’d also like to note that they are VERY transparent with pricing and what you’re going to be paying before you do anything at all. Not once did I feel like I didn’t know what was going on or what I was being charged for. Kudos to the team for being so thorough with all my insurance info and copays! All this to say, I had an amazing experience and will certainly be coming back as long as Dr. Lee is here!
- Jan. 06, 2024
Everyone is nice and professional!
- Dec. 30, 2023
Fantastic staff and Dr. Lee is amazing! Very knowledgeable and friendly!
- Dec. 29, 2023
I've been coming to Urban Optix for a few years and it's always been an excellent experience! Helpf... ul and knowledgable staff, never have to wait for my appointment, and Dr. Traci Lee is just amazing! Highly recommend this shop.
- Dec. 16, 2023
Great experience with the doctor and the staff.
- Nov. 27, 2023
Everyone here was awesome! So sweet and welcoming definitely recommend urban optix! Anna was really ... great to chat with while picking out my glasses
- Nov. 25, 2023
The entire staff is very customer service oriented. Dr. Thoreby is a great 👍 optometrist, explain... ed every step of the eye exam helping to learn how to take care of your eyes and always asked if you have any questions.
- Sep. 23, 2023
Great group of humans here. Very friendly, informative, and efficient!
- Sep. 14, 2023
Traci Lee is the very best. Such a professional, and extremely thorough.
- Jan. 13, 2023
I've been going to Dr. Traci and Urban Optix on and off since 2016 and they are great-easy to schedu... le, great location, updated technology, and a great selection of glasses. I had to use a different clinic for a few years due to poor coverage with my grad student insurance (although I've heard that UO's insurance policies have been updated and UW GAIP goes a lot further now), and I found UO to have much more modern and proactive eye medicine than the other place I tried. Their frames selection is the best I've ever seen and they have unique glasses (such as Masunaga) you cannot find anywhere else, the staff are experts on fit, lenses, etc, and the prices are very fair (even when I switched clinics, I always bought frames here). They've gone out of their way to order frames for me and work with me on payment options when I was a PhD student struggling to afford glasses. UO loyal!
- Jan. 09, 2023
i had such a great experience here (: dr lee is awesome. she was so helpful, and because my insuranc... e wasn’t going to cover the cost of my new glasses, she made sure i didn’t feel any pressure to buy some while i was there. i ended up getting a pair anyway and the person that helped me with the frames was so sweet. totally recommend this place! 💞
- Dec. 29, 2022
Urban Optix is the absolute best. I’ve been going for over 5 years now. Beyond the customer experi... ence, a full 5 starts. Dr. Lee and Dr. Thoreby are both outstanding. I’ve seen both of them over the past few years and they take the time to get to know me as a patient, my lifestyle, and concerns with my eye sight and health conditions. I’ve recommended them to folks around me, but finally getting to this long over due 5 star review! 🙂 See you in the new year!
- Nov. 21, 2022
Decided to get contacts and had my training with Gigi. She is super patient and supportive, and real... ly encouraged me to finish it. Also really appreciate Cathy for my first training. The eye exam was also very smooth with Dr. Sean and he is also very responsive regarding to my questions.
- Sep. 09, 2022
Dr. Lee is so attentive and answers all of my questions. Her staff is knowledgeable and welcoming, a... nd they have a great selection of glasses/sunglasses. I also love that her team helps me understand my insurance and what my plan covers. My eye exam finally doesn't feel like a chore!

View All 175 Reviews

boy in eye exam

Professional Myopia Solutions for Your Family

Understanding the hereditary aspect of myopia is the first step in addressing your concerns. Discover how our experts can help manage the risks of myopia within your family. Visit Urban Optix today to explore your options and ensure a clear, bright future for your child.

(206) 420-7366