What is Albinism?
The term albinism refers to a group of inherited diseases that affect production of melanin. Melanin is a pigment that colors skin, hair and iris (the colored parts of the eye). People with albinism have less melanin or may not have it at all. The symptoms of albinism vary depending on the amount of melanin present. Usually, hair, skin and eyes are clear, but some people may have brown or reddish hair and colored skin.
What disorders are suffered by people with albinism?
Sensitivity to light, known as photophobia
Vision problems, such as myopia: they can benefit by wearing glasses, but generally their vision is still low
Involuntary eye movements, known as nystagmus
Vision problems
Many children with albinism seem to be blind during the first months of life. However, shortly after their eyesight improves dramatically. This is known as delayed visual development. A child with albinism requires regular eye examination and has an increased chance to wear safety glasses or contact lenses to correct visual problems such as:
Myopia
Presbyopia
Astigmatism (an eye disease that causes blurred vision)
However, eyeglasses or contact lenses may not be enough to correct visual problems, they might also need other tools such as a magnifying glass though sometimes this still may not be enough.
What are the symptoms of albinism?
Albinism can affect:
Hair
Skin
Eyes
Hair and Skin
Many people with albinism have white or light blond hair, but some may have brown or reddish hair. Hair color depends on the amount of melanin (pigment) produced by the body. People with albinism also have very pale complexion that won't get dark and is easily burnt when exposed to the sunlight.
Eyes
People with albinism do not have a pigment in the iris (the colored part of eye). They usually have pale blue or gray eyes. Loss of melanin can cause other disorders, such as:
Poor eyesight (both myopia and presbyopia) or low vision (loss of degrees that can not be corrected)
Astigmatism, which occurs when the cornea (the upper part of the eye) has no precise bending or lens has an abnormal shape, causing blurred vision
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Nystagmus, which occurs when the eye moves in an uncontrolled manner, generally from side to side, causing a reduction of sight
Strabismus
Despite the specific problems with the eyes, many albino people find relief by observing objects positioned close to their eyes. Over the years it might be more difficult to keep objects close to the eyes and a magnifying glass can be useful.
What are the types of albinism?
There are two main types of albinism, that can cause slightly different symptoms:
Oculocutaneous albinism, which affects hair, skin and eyes of people
Ocular albinism, which affects primarily the eyes of the people, although it may also be affecting skin and hair, which are lighter than those of the rest of the family
Oculocutaneous albinism
The oculocutaneous albinism is the most common type of albinism. It is possible that many people who suffer from nystagmus without a clear cause, are actually suffering from a certain type of albinism. There are more different types of oculocutaneous albinism.
Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS)
Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a very rare type of albinism. Besides the usual symptoms, the HPS can also cause disorders such as bleeding or uncontrollable tendency to bruise. The HPS can also affect the heart, kidneys, lungs and stomach. If a child is suffering from albinism and you notice he/she has a tendency to easily bruise and bleed a lot, you should consult your doctor.
Who is affected?
There are different types of albinism. In many cases the albinism affects both sexes, although there is a type of ocular albinism (the one that mostly affects the eyes) which is more common in men.
What causes albinism?
The albinism is caused by a lack of melanin, which normally gives color to hair, skin and eyes. In people with albinism, the cells that produce melanin are not working as they should because of a genetic mutation. Different genes are responsible for different types of albinism.
The term albinism refers to a group of inherited diseases that affect production of melanin. Melanin is a pigment that colors skin, hair and iris (the colored parts of the eye). People with albinism have less melanin or may not have it at all. The symptoms of albinism vary depending on the amount of melanin present. Usually, hair, skin and eyes are clear, but some people may have brown or reddish hair and colored skin.
What disorders are suffered by people with albinism?
Sensitivity to light, known as photophobia
Vision problems, such as myopia: they can benefit by wearing glasses, but generally their vision is still low
Involuntary eye movements, known as nystagmus
Vision problems
Many children with albinism seem to be blind during the first months of life. However, shortly after their eyesight improves dramatically. This is known as delayed visual development. A child with albinism requires regular eye examination and has an increased chance to wear safety glasses or contact lenses to correct visual problems such as:
Myopia
Presbyopia
Astigmatism (an eye disease that causes blurred vision)
However, eyeglasses or contact lenses may not be enough to correct visual problems, they might also need other tools such as a magnifying glass though sometimes this still may not be enough.
What are the symptoms of albinism?
Albinism can affect:
Hair
Skin
Eyes
Hair and Skin
Many people with albinism have white or light blond hair, but some may have brown or reddish hair. Hair color depends on the amount of melanin (pigment) produced by the body. People with albinism also have very pale complexion that won't get dark and is easily burnt when exposed to the sunlight.
Eyes
People with albinism do not have a pigment in the iris (the colored part of eye). They usually have pale blue or gray eyes. Loss of melanin can cause other disorders, such as:
Poor eyesight (both myopia and presbyopia) or low vision (loss of degrees that can not be corrected)
Astigmatism, which occurs when the cornea (the upper part of the eye) has no precise bending or lens has an abnormal shape, causing blurred vision
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Nystagmus, which occurs when the eye moves in an uncontrolled manner, generally from side to side, causing a reduction of sight
Strabismus
Despite the specific problems with the eyes, many albino people find relief by observing objects positioned close to their eyes. Over the years it might be more difficult to keep objects close to the eyes and a magnifying glass can be useful.
What are the types of albinism?
There are two main types of albinism, that can cause slightly different symptoms:
Oculocutaneous albinism, which affects hair, skin and eyes of people
Ocular albinism, which affects primarily the eyes of the people, although it may also be affecting skin and hair, which are lighter than those of the rest of the family
Oculocutaneous albinism
The oculocutaneous albinism is the most common type of albinism. It is possible that many people who suffer from nystagmus without a clear cause, are actually suffering from a certain type of albinism. There are more different types of oculocutaneous albinism.
Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS)
Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a very rare type of albinism. Besides the usual symptoms, the HPS can also cause disorders such as bleeding or uncontrollable tendency to bruise. The HPS can also affect the heart, kidneys, lungs and stomach. If a child is suffering from albinism and you notice he/she has a tendency to easily bruise and bleed a lot, you should consult your doctor.
Who is affected?
There are different types of albinism. In many cases the albinism affects both sexes, although there is a type of ocular albinism (the one that mostly affects the eyes) which is more common in men.
What causes albinism?
The albinism is caused by a lack of melanin, which normally gives color to hair, skin and eyes. In people with albinism, the cells that produce melanin are not working as they should because of a genetic mutation. Different genes are responsible for different types of albinism.
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