History

Balthazar Telez coined the term "albino, meaning white Negro, when he saw white African tribe members along the coast of West Africa. He and the other explorers thought they were seeing two different races of people

What is a genetic disease?

A genetic disease is a disease in which a certain chromosome or gene is altered or mutated. Genetic diseases are usually recessive.

Description
Albinism is a group of genetic conditions that causes a lack of pigment. It can effect only the eyes or both the eyes and skin. Most types of albinism are inherited when an individual receives the albinism gene from both parents. The exception is one type of ocular albinism, which is passed on from mothers to their sons.

Detection
Detected at birth because of irregular pigmentation

When can it first appear?

Albinism can first appear at birth because it is a physical deformity that never changes.

Symptoms
Absence of pigment from the hair, skin, or iris of eyes Patchy absence of pigment including in the carrier-mothers of affected boys with X-linked recessive albinism Lighter than normal skin and hair or complete albinism

Most forms of complete albinism have some of the following possible symptoms:
Rapid eye movements Strabismus (eyes not tracking properly) Photophobia (avoidance of light because of discomfort) Decreased visual acuity Functional blindness

Causes
Albinism is caused by an alteration of the gene that makes the melanin pigment.

Alternate names
Hypopigmentation, Ocular Albinism, Oculocutaneous Albinism

Prevalence
Approximately one in 17,000 people have one of the types of albinism. About 18,000 people in the United States are affected.

Diagnosis
The most accurate way to determine albinism and the specific type is genetic testing.

Treatment
The skin and eyes must be protected from the sun. Sunglasses (UV protected) may relieve photophobia.

Prognosis
Albinism does not affect the expected lifespan. Activities may be limited by intolerance to the sun.

Complications
Skin cancer
Decreased vision, blindness

Bibliogaphy

http://www.zebracorn.com/history.htm
http://www.albinism.org/faq/report.html http://www.cbc.umn.edu/iac/facts.htm

http://health.allrefer.com/health/albinism-info.html
www.plymouth.gov.uk/images/ albino-form.jpg www.gherp.com/.../ monacle%20cobra,%20albino.jpg http://www.lunaeterna.net/popcult/film.htm