Symptoms of Albinism.

Albinism affected people have lighter than normal hair and skin color, rapid eye movements, eyes not tracking properly, avoidance of light because of discomfort, and decreased visual activity which can even result in blindness.

Commom questions about Albinism.

Q: Who is more likely to be affected by albinism?

A: Albinism can affect any person from any race. It can affect both male and female, but it primarily affects males. Only one out of seventy people carry the gene for albinism.

Q: What are some of the problems that albinos have to deal with?

A: Albinos have a much higher chance of skin cancer and are easily sun burnt. They are also likely to have eye problems. Less common types of albinism involve problems with blood-clotting, immune deficiency, and possible hearing problems. But most albinos develop and learn normally and need to be treated normally.

Q: Are there different types of albinism?

Yes. Albinism is classified into two different types: Oculocutaneous and Ocular. Oculocutaneous albinism, the most common form, involves dilution of hair, skin, and eye color. Ocular albinism, which only accounts for 10-15% of all cases of albinism, is when the pigment melanin is missing from just your etes; leaving your skin and hair color almost normal.

Q: Do all albinos have red eyes and white hair?

It is rare for an albino to have red eyes, and most have a shade of blue or green. Most albinos do have white hair, but those with a slighter case of albinism can be born with white hair, but it darkens with age.

Q: Are there any ways to detect if your child is going to have albinism?

There are few tests to detect albinism before birth. A chorionic villus sampling test during the fifth week of pregnancy can expose some types of albinism. The "hair bulb pigmentation test" is used to identify carriers by incubating a piece of the person's hair in a solution of tyrosine, a substance in food which the body uses to make melanin. If the hair turns dark, it means the hair is making melanin; light hair means there is no melanin. The tyrosinase test measures the rate at which hair converts tyrosine into another chemical (DOPA), which is then made into pigment.

Q: How can you treat albinism?

Treating albinism can range from genetic counseling to just wearing adequate clothing when exposed to the sun. By wearing heavy sun screen, you can prevent damage to albino's sensitive skin. Sunglasses also help prevent damage to the eye, and they help with light sensitivity. Frequent tests for skin cancer are a good way to treat cancer early if you do have it. Optomitrists can provide albinos with many optical aids to help with vision problems.

Q: Are there any ways to know if you are a carrier of albinism?

There isn't any simple test to detect if someone is a carrier for albinism. Since carriers of albinism do not show any symptoms, it is hard to know if you carry the trait for albinism.