| Albinism is hereditary it is not an infectious disease | | | | for directing the eyes and skin to make melanin |
| and cannot be transmitted through contact, blood | | | | (pigment). As a result, little or no pigment is made, |
| transfusions, or other vectors. The principal gene | | | | and the child's skin, eyes and hair may be |
| which results in albinism prevents the body from | | | | colorless. |
| making the usual amounts of the pigment melanin. | | | | The most severe form of albinism is called |
| Most forms of albinism are the result of the | | | | oculocutaneous albinism. Persons with this type of |
| biological inheritance of genetically recessive alleles | | | | albinism have white or pink hair, skin, and iris color, |
| (genes) passed from both parents of an individual, | | | | as well as vision problems. |
| though some rare forms are inherited from only | | | | Another type of albinism, called ocular albinism |
| one parent. There are other genetic mutations | | | | type 1 (OA1), affects only the eyes. The person's |
| which are proven to be associated with albinism. | | | | skin and eye colors are usually in the normal |
| All alterations, however, lead to changes in melanin | | | | range. However, an eye exam will show that |
| production in the body. | | | | there is no coloring in the back of the eye (retina). |
| Symptoms | | | | In most types of albinism, a recessive trait, the |
| There are several ethnic groups in Central and | | | | child inherits flawed genes for making melanin |
| South American who carry this trait. A small blood | | | | from both parents. Because the task of making |
| sample is obtained from the affected individual | | | | melanin is complex, there are many different |
| and the parents and molecular genetic analysis of | | | | types of albinism, involving a number of different |
| the DNA code is performed to identify the | | | | genes. |
| affected genes. People with albinism are born with | | | | Treatment |
| little or no pigmentation in their eyes, skin and hair | | | | There is no treatment or cure for albinism. Since |
| (oculocutaneous albinism) or sometimes in the | | | | individuals with albinism have little or no melanin in |
| eyes alone (ocular albinism). | | | | their skin, they need to use a broad-spectrum |
| Apart from their physical appearance, people with | | | | sunscreen and wear adequate clothing when |
| the condition can experience a number of | | | | outside to prevent ultraviolet-induced damage to |
| associated problems, depending on which genetic | | | | the skin. The use of sunglasses will reduce the |
| type they have. Problems with vision and from | | | | symptoms of light sensitivity as well as protecting |
| skin burning in sunlight are particularly common. | | | | the eyes. An ophthalmologist can treat other eye |
| The disorder may also be diagnosed based on the | | | | or vision symptoms. Individuals with albinism should |
| appearance of the skin, hair, and eyes. It is very | | | | see a dermatologist regularly to be screened for |
| helpful for an ophthalmologist to perform a | | | | skin cancer. Albinism does not alter life |
| complete examination of anyone with albinism. An | | | | expectancy or have other serious health effects. |
| electroretinogram test, to determine brain waves | | | | Diagnosis of all types of OCA is obvious from |
| produced by light shined in the eye, can reveal | | | | examination of the skin, but detection of iris |
| "abnormal wiring" of the visual system in ocular | | | | translucency, reduced retinal pigmentation, foveal |
| forms of albinism. | | | | hypoplasia, reduced visual acuity, and ocular |
| Causes | | | | movement disorders (strabismus and nystagmus) |
| Albinism is an inherited problem caused by a flaw | | | | is necessary. Some surgical interventions may |
| in one or more of the genes that are responsible | | | | improve ocular movement disorders. |