Albinism
By: Bailey Goldesberry
Information About Albinism
-Oculocutaneous albinism
-Ocular albinism
-Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome
Caused By:
-Several genetic disorders on the X chromosome, the body cannot produce and/or distribute melanin
-Often inherited
Prenatal Testing and Occurrence:
-Relatively new options for prenatal testing and genetic counseling are available
-One in 17,000 people of any race will be affected
Information, Treatment, and Long-Term Effects
-Treatment includes protecting the eyes and skin from sun as well as prescription glasses or eye surgery to correct some of the problems
-Will likely be a lifetime struggle with sunscreen and sunglasses
Prevention and Reproduction
-It could pass on to the children
-The only severe problems that may become present are problems with the eyes or skin cancer if one is not careful
Research
Symptoms of Albinism
-Lighter than normal or colorless hair, skin, and irises
-Patchy or missing skin color
-Cross eyes
-Sensitivity to light
-Rapid movement of the eyes
-Functional blindness and other vision problems