Genetics And The Optometrist.

There are many ocular conditions and anomalies which are inherited. These can range from eye color to severely vision debilitating and even lethal disorders. The optometrist may be
the first health care professional that a patient consults, when a symptom or a genetic disorder arises, Optometrists may also play a role in the management or a genetic disorder through the use or low vision aids. Patients with genetic disorders or family members with genetic disorders may also inquire about odds and risks to their children or themselves.
Therefore, it is important ror the optometrist to at least be familiar with some or the basic concepts involved in genetics. He or she should be familiar and able to recognize some or the more common genetic ocular disorders and know what is the best course or management ror these patients. He or she should also know that genetic counseling is a complicated matter involving many factors and issues, It is dangerous ror the optometrist to
give "orr the curr' genetic advice. Consequently,the optometrist should know where and how the patient can get professional genetic counseling to seek the answer to his questions.
The purpose or this paper is to acquaint the reader with some basic genetic concepts, some genetic ocular disorders, and referral sources ror genetic counseling. There are many ways a trait or traits can be inherited. these are referred to as modes or transmission. The autosomal dominant and recessive modes involve a single gene carried on one or the somatic or non-sex chromosomes.