A form of albinism in which the eyes, skin and hair are affected. The genes fail to make the usual amounts of a pigment called melanin, resulting in white hair, skin, and reddish or violet eyes.

What causes it?

Albinism is an inherited genetic disorder. It affects one in 17,000 in the United States alone and affects people of all races.

What are the symptoms?

Pale, cream-colored skin and hair; reddish eyes, extreme light sensitivity, crossed eyes, lazy eye, and visual acuity problems. Nystagmus (erratic rapid movement of the eyes back and forth) may also be present.

Eye problems often result from the lack of pigment. The iris, the colored part of the eye, lacks pigment in the albinic eye and therefore allows stray light to enter the eye where it normally wouldn't. This results in an exaggerated sensitivity to light and glare. In addition, the retina (the part of the eye that receives incoming light) does not develop normally in utero or process correctly after birth.

What can be done?

Because there is no way to correct the lack of pigment, treatment of the associated conditions is necessary. Surgery to correct Strabismus or Esotropia can correct crossed or lazy eyes, vision therapy can help improve the strength of the eye muscles, and optical aids can be prescribed to aid in daily activities. Bifocals, reading glasses, contact lenses, and bioptics can all help with low vision problems.

Add'l keywords/misspellings:albino albinism white red eyes