Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition present at birth which causes a lack of pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes. Albinism is caused by a lack of melanin, the pigment that gives skin and hair its color. People with albinism often have vision problems and are at risk for skin cancer.
Types of Albinism
There are four major types of albinism: Oculocutaneous Albinism, Ocular Albinism, Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, and Chediak-Higashi Syndrome.
Oculocutaneous Albinism (OCA) is the most common type of albinism. People with OCA have a very pale complexion, white or light-colored hair, and pale blue or pink eyes. They also have vision problems such as astigmatism, reduced visual acuity, and nystagmus (involuntary eye movements). There are four major types of OCA, each with its own set of symptoms and genetic cause.
Ocular Albinism (OA) is a rare type of albinism that affects only the eyes. People with OA have normal skin and hair color, but their eyes lack pigment and are very sensitive to light. They often have vision problems such as reduced visual acuity, astigmatism, and nystagmus.
Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) is a rare type of albinism that affects the skin, hair, and eyes. People with HPS have pale skin, white or light-colored hair, and pale blue or pink eyes. They also have vision problems such as astigmatism, reduced visual acuity, and nystagmus. In addition, people with HPS have a form of bleeding disorder called platelet storage pool deficiency.
Chediak-Higashi Syndrome (CHS) is a very rare type of albinism that affects the skin, hair, and eyes. People with CHS have pale skin, white or light-colored hair, and pale blue or pink eyes. They also have vision problems such as astigmatism, reduced visual acuity, and nystagmus. In addition, people with CHS have a weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to infections.
In conclusion, there are four major types of albinism: Oculocutaneous Albinism, Ocular Albinism, Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, and Chediak-Higashi Syndrome. Each type has its own set of symptoms and genetic cause. People with albinism often have vision problems and are at risk for skin cancer.