Albinism

Albinism is a rare condition that is caused by a genetic mutation and causes less melanin pigment than normal.

Albinism

Albinism is a genetic condition that affects the melanin pigment in the body, which is responsible for the color of the hair, skin, and eyes.

Causes of albinism

Albinism occurs due to a genetic problem in the genes that are responsible for producing the melanin pigment.

There are two main types of albinism:

• Oculocutaneous albinism: it’s the most common type, and it affects the whole body.
• Ocular albinism: it only affects the eyes.

Symptoms of albinism

• White to brown hair.
• Very light skin compared with other family members.
• People with dark skin may have light brown or red-brown skin with freckles.
• The hair of people with dark skin can be yellow, red, or brown.
• Paleness of the eyelashes and eyebrows.
• The eye color can be from very light blue to brown.
• Albinism can affect how the eye functions and may cause blurry vision, refractive errors, reduced depth perception (not being able to see things in three dimensions), crossed eyes, rapid eye movement, and light sensitivity.
• People with albinism are very sensitive to sunlight, and they can easily have sunburns; they are under the risk of developing skin cancer, and this condition could make the person face some social and emotional challenges.

Diagnosis of albinism

• Medical history.
• Physical exam.
• Eye exam.

Treatment of albinism

• Albinism can’t be cured, and managing the condition depends on managing the symptoms.