Albinism
Albinism refers to a group of inherited conditions. People with albinism have little or no pigment in their eyes, skin, or hair. They have inherited genes that do not make the usual amounts of a pigment called melanin. People with albinism always have vision problems, including low vision, strabismus (crossed eyes or lazy eye), nystagmus (irregular, rapid movement of the eyes), sensitivity to bright light, astigmatism, far-sightedness or near-sightedness. These problems are due to abnormal development of the retina, and abnormal patterns of nerve connections between the eye and the brain. The main test for albinism is an eye exam.In addition, albinism affects skin sensitivity. Long sleeved clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen can provide protection.
While most people with albinism have very light skin and hair, not all do. Albinism affects people from all races. One in 17,000 people have albinism, and about 18,000 people in the United States are affected. Most children with albinism are born to parents who have normal hair and eye color for their ethnic backgrounds.
People with albinism can adapt well to their disabilities and lead fulfilling lives. When a child enters school, minor modifications may be needed in the classroom, but children may find the social side of education more challenging. Most children will lead normal lives. They live normal life spans and have the same types of general medical problems as the rest of the population. Treatment of eye conditions consists of visual rehabilitation. Surgery to correct strabismus may improve the appearance of the eyes. However, since surgery will not correct the misrouting of nerves from the eyes to the brain, surgery will not provide fine binocular vision. In the case of crossed eyes, surgery may help vision by expanding the visual field (the area that the eyes can see while looking at one point).
For more information contact:
National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH)
1-800-473-2310
www.albinism.org
Medline Plus (Medical Encyclopedia) Detailed definition and photographs.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001479.htm
07/05