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WHAT IS IT? Albinism refers to a group of inherited traits. People with albinism have little or no pigment in their eyes, skin, or hair. They have inherited altered genes that do not make the usual amounts of a pigment called melanin.
ALBINISM
Symptoms & Treatments: Poor Vision- Visual rehabilitation, Glasses, or surgery. More Susceptible to Sunburn/Skin Cancer- Albinos must wear high SPF sunscreen and/or UV-proof clothing, bathing suits, and sunglasses.
Type One: A genetic defect in the enzyme Tyrosinase. Little to no melanin is produced,; can have anything between white and light brown hair. Type Two: genetic defect in protein that leads to minimal melanin pigment; hair can be between light blonde and light brown. Type Three: A rarely described genetic defect in protein; may have a substantial amount of pigment. Type Four: Another protein defect; similar appearance to type two.
Albinism cannot be prevented because it is inherited through one's genetics.
About one in every 17,000 people have Albinism. It affects people from all races. Most children with albinism are born to parents who have normal hair and eye color for their ethnic backgrounds. Sometimes people do not recognize that they have it!
