Diseases

Albinism

Back

Albinism in humans is a congenital disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. ... While an organism with complete absence of melanin is called an albino, an organism with only a diminished amount of melanin is described as leucistic or albinoid.

SYMPTOMS

Visual: astigmatism, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light, eyes: lazy eye, underdeveloped optic nerve, or rapid involuntary movement, skin: loss of colour or freckles.

CAUSES

A defect in one of several genes that produce or distribute melanin causes albinism. The defect may result in the absence of melanin production, or a reduced amount of melanin production. The defective gene passes down from both parents to the child and causes albinism.