Albinism is a rare, inherited condition that causes a lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. It is caused by an absence of the pigment melanin, which is responsible for giving skin, hair, and eyes their color. Albinism can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of the condition and the amount of pigment present in the skin, hair, and eyes.
Types of Albinism
Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is the most common type of albinism, affecting the eyes, skin, and hair. People with OCA have white or very light-colored skin, white or light-colored hair, and light-colored eyes. They may also have vision problems such as nearsightedness, astigmatism, and photophobia.
Ocular albinism (OA) is a less common type of albinism. It affects only the eyes, causing a lack of pigment in the iris, or colored part of the eye. People with OA may have light-colored eyes, but they do not have vision problems like those seen in OCA.
Severity of Albinism
The severity of albinism varies from person to person. People with mild albinism may have some pigment in their skin, hair, and eyes, while people with severe albinism may have very little pigment. OCA is usually more severe than OA, and people with OCA may have more vision problems than those with OA. The amount of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes can also vary from person to person.
Treatment of Albinism
There is no cure for albinism, but there are treatments that can help people with the condition manage their symptoms. People with albinism may need to wear protective clothing and sunscreen to protect their skin from sunburn and skin cancer. They may also need to wear special glasses to help protect their eyes from the sun and to improve their vision. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct vision problems.