Developed by Charlotte Tompkins

Albinism

What is it?

Albinism refers to a group of inherited conditions. People with albinism have little or no pigment in the eyes, skin, and hair, or in some cases in the eyes only. The lack of pigment during the development of the eye causes an abnormal development of the retina and affects the formation of the nerve pathways from the eyes to the brain, which causes decreased visual acuity or low vision .

What eye problems result from Albinism?

People with albinism are not “blind”, but their vision is not normal, and cannot be corrected completely with glasses. Extreme far-sightedness or near-sightedness, and astigmatism are common and correction with glasses can improve acuity. Nystagmus, which is the involuntary movement of the eyes back and forth, Strabismus, which means the eyes do not fixate and track together and photophobia which is sensitivity to light can result from the condition of albinism. The iris color is usually blue/gray or light brown, but with some types of albinism a reddish color from the retina can reflect back through the iris as well as through the pupil.


Treatment:

Ophthalmologists and optometrists can help people with albinism compensate for their eye problems, but they cannot cure them. For help with visual acuity, eye doctors experienced in low vision can prescribe a variety of devices.

Young children may simply need glasses, and older children may benefit from bifocal glasses. Low vision clinics may prescribe telescopic lenses mounted on glasses for close-up work as well as for distant vision.

Most children with albinism should be able to function in a mainstream classroom with accommodations as appropriate for each student.

Sources:

1. http://www.albinism.org/faq/students.html

2. http://www.emedicine.com/oph/byname/Albinism.htm

3. http://albinism.med.umn.edu/facts.htm

4. Dictionary of Eye Terminology 5th Ed., Barbara Cassin and Melvin L. Rubin, MD, Editor, 2006. Gainesville, FL., pg. 27.

5. Ophthalmology Made Ridiculously Simple, Stephen Goldberg, M.D. and William Trattler, M.D. , 2008. Miami, FL, pg 49.

6. http://www.lowvision.org/albinism.htm