Question
My father and both of my aunts’ brothers have optic nerve atrophy. Am I carrying the gene for this disease? Is there a possibility that my offspring could be affected as well?
Answer
The gene for optic nerve atrophy is located on the eighth pair of chromosomes, making it a common chromosomal recessive disease that is gender-neutral, with an equal risk of 1 in 2 for both males and females. If you have not shown symptoms of the disease, you are a carrier. The risk of your offspring developing the disease is 1 in 8. If you have the disease, the risk for your offspring is 1 in 4. There is no need to worry excessively.