Albinism is caused due to recessive alleles inheritance from the parents. In rare cases, this condition is caused because of gene mutations. Whatever the reason may be, the altered gene results in inability of the body to synthesize melanin pigment.
Person with albinism will have same growth and development as that of a normal person. They can also reproduce offspring. Therefore, it is a wrong opinion that an individual with this condition is sterile. Person with albinism may express amelanism (complete lack of melanin) or hypomelanism (partial lack of melanin) of the hair, eyes and skin.
Eyes of the person with this condition may appear red, purple or pale blue. Due to lack of melanin, the photoprotective pigment, she/he is more susceptible to sunburn. Lack of pigment can increase the risk of skin cancer, but it doesn’t cause mortality.
For complete development of the retina, there is a need for the melanin pigment and as an albinistic person lacks this pigment, usually he/she has eye problems because of abnormal development of the retina. Common eye problems are photophobia (light sensitivity), refractive errors (hypermetropia, astigmatism, myopia), strabismus (crossed eye) and nystagmus.
The phenotypic expression can be of two types — ocular albinism and oculocutaneos albinism. Person with oculocutaneous albinism lacks pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. And person with ocular albinism lacks pigment only in the eyes. He/she has normal skin and hair.
Confirmation of albinism can be done by the diagnostic technique — genetic testing. Certain treatments can improve the conditions, but there is no proper cure for the condition. Since it is a hereditary disorder, it can’t be transferred from one individual to another through blood transfusion, dermal contact or vector.
This condition not only affects human beings, but also shows its effect on plants and animals. Lack of pigment — chlorophyll in the plants can result in short life.
