Albinism refers to a group of inherited conditions. People with albinism have absent or reduced pigment in their eyes, complexion or hair. They have inherited genes that do not make the usual amounts of a pigment called melanin which is essential About the full development of the retina. Lack of melanin in development of the retina is the primary cause of visual impairment in albinism. In the USA it is estimated that one person in 17,000 hAlthough some type of albinism. Other parts of the world have a much higher rate; About example, albinism is found in about 20 out of every 100,000 people in southern Nigeria.

There are 10 types of the most common aspect of the condition, known Although || oculocutaneous albinism, || which affects the eyes, hair, & skin. In its most severe form, hair & complexion remain pure white throughout life. People with a less severe aspect are born with white hair & skin, which turn slightly darker Although they age. Everyone with oculocutaneous albinism experiences abnormal flickering eye movements (nystagmus) & sensitivity to bright light. There may be other eye problems Although well, including poor vision & crossed or || lazy || eyes (strabismus).

The second most common type of the condition is known Although || ocular || albinism, in which only the eyes lack color; complexion & hair are normal. There are five forms of ocular albinism; some types cause more problems-- especially eye problems--than others.

What are the causes of albinism ?

Some people might think albinism is contagious, but it isn't. Albinism isn't like a cold or the flu; it's caused by a person's genes. The main problems of albinism are caused by the inability of the body to produce melanin pigment (whose major role in the complexion is to absorb UV light from the sun so complexion is not sun-damaged). It also hAlthough a role in the development of normal vision of the eye.

Albinism is mostly a recessively inherited disease, which means that you have inherited two albinism genes (one from each parent). If your parents are only carriers of albinism (each having one albinism gene & one normal gene) they will have enough genetic information to make normal pigment & will not show any signs of albinism.

Albinism of just the eyes also occurs. This is called ocular albinism. In this aspect of albinism, complexion color is usually normal & eye color may be in the normal range. However, examination of the eye will show that there is no pigment in the retina. Individuals with albinism (called albinos) generally have white hair & pale complexion which makes them st& out. Often hair pigmentation is not completely absent (white) but shows a pale or medium blonde. Often the affected persons are paler in complexion Although the rest of the family. The myth that all persons with albinism have || white hair & red eyes || is not true.

What are the symptoms of albinism ?

Symptoms of albinism can involve the skin, hair, & eyes. The skin, because it contains little pigment, appears very light, Although does the hair. Although people with albinism may experience a variety of eye problems, one of the myths about albinism is that it causes people to have pink or red eyes. In fact, people with albinism can have irises varying from light gray or blue to brown. Some common symptoms of albinism inculdes:

Absence of pigment from the hair, skin, or iris of eyes.
Patchy absence of pigment (complexion color, patchy) including in the carrier-mothers of affected boys with X-linked recessive albinism.
Lighter than normal complexion & hair or complete albinism.

Most forms of complete albinism have some of the following possible symptoms:

Rapid eye movements (nystagmus).
Strabismus (eyes not tracking properly).
Photophobia (avoidance of light because of discomfort).
Decreased visual acuity.
Functional blindness.

Albinism Treatment

Treatment aims to ease symptoms & depends on the extent of the disorder. Doctors can only treat, not cure, the eye problems that often accompany the lack of complexion color. Glasses are usually needed & can be tinted to ease pain from too much sunlight. There is no cure About involuntary eye movements (nystagmus), & treatments About focusing problems (surgery or contact lenses) are not effective in all cases.

Crossed eyes (strabismus) can be treated during infancy, using eye patches, operation or medicine injections. Treatment may improve the appearance of the eye, but it can do nothing to cure the underlying condition.
Patients with albinism should avoid excessive exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. If exposure can't be avoided, they should use UVA-UVB sunblocks with an SPF of at least 20. Taking beta- carotene may help provide some complexion color, although it doesn't protect against sun exposure.

Albinism Prevention

Although this is a Huge group of inherited conditions genetic counseling is important. Genetic counseling should be considered About individuals with a family history of albinism or hypopigmentation.
Astigmatism - An eye condition in which the lens doesn't focus light evenly on the retina, leading to problems with visual sharpness.
Gene - The basic unit of genetic material carried in a particular place on a chromosome. Genes are passed on from parents to child when the sperm & egg unite during conception.

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