Albinism

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Albinism
yawn Albinism isnt SO bad

• By Grace Reynolds
• AP Biology

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Introduction

• Albinism is a genetic disorder which is
  characterized by a defect in the gene that
  produces melanin.
• This results in a lack of pigmentation in the
  hair, skin and eyes (resulting in a white or pink
  color).
• Albinism was first discovered by Sir Archibald
  Garrod in 1908.

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How is it Inherited?

• Albinism is an autosomal recessive trait.
• An individual with albinism must inherit the
  albino gene from both of its parents.

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Features/Symptoms

• White or pink hair, skin, eyes
• Eye problems nystagmus (horizontal back and
  forth movement of eyes), strabismus (muscle
  imbalance, crossed eyes, lazy eye, protruding of
  eye), sensitivity to bright light and glare,
  far-sightedness, near-sightedness, astigmatism,
  foveal hypoplasia (retina does not develop
  normally prenatally or in infancy), nerve signals
  from retina to brain do not follow normal nerve
  routes, and iris cannot screen out light because
  of the lack of pigmentation.
• Normal life span, same types of medical problems
  as non-albinos.

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Treatment

• The symptoms of albinism are treatable.
• The lack of melanin in the skin makes albinos
  more susceptible to sunburns. This is easily
  treatable with sunscreen, hats, and protective
  clothing.
• Vision may be treated with glasses or bifocal
  glasses, but often the symptoms arent that
  simple.
• Nystagmus can be treated with biofeedback,
  surgery, and contact lenses. The best treatment
  is eye muscle surgery that reduces the movement
  of the eyes.

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• Strabismus can be treated by the wearing of
  glasses to help the alignment of the eyes, the
  wearing of an eyepatch to promote the use of the
  non-preferred eye, surgery to help with the
  alignment, and injection of medicine into the
  muscles around the eye can also help with the
  alignment.
• Nothing can be done to correct the incorrect
  routes of the nerve impulses, or the depth
  perception.
• Photophobia can be treated with dark tinted
  glasses, or lenses that darken upon exposure to
  bright light.

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Myths about Albinism

• Myth

• Fact

• All albinos have red eyes.
• Albinism is more common in African Americans.

• FALSE. Although some can have red or violet eyes,
  most have blue or gray.
• FALSE. Albinism effects people of all races an
  ethnic groups equally.