Albinism
Alternative Names
Oculocutaneous albinism; Ocular albinism; Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome
The symptoms of albinism depend on the specific type of albinism.
Symptoms of the eye:
Decreased sharpness in vision (visual acuity)
Functional blindness
Irregular and rapid eye movement (Nystagmus)
Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
Sensitivity to bright lights or glare (Photophobia)
Wandering eyes (Strabismus)
Distortion of a viewed image (Astigmatism)
Symptoms affecting the skin:
Patchy or absence of the melanin pigment leaving the areas pale
No pigmentation resulting in white skin
Increased susceptibility to skin cancer
Highly sensitive to sunburns
Symptoms of the hair:
Forelock (portion of the hair near the forehead) turns white
Complete absence of pigment in the hair resulting in white hair
Other symptoms:
Bleeding tendency
Increased susceptibility to infections
Problem with bowels
Nervous system disorders
Breathing problems due to Lung fibrosis
Deafness
Body Systems Affected:
Albinism is a recessive inherited defect in melanin metabolism in which pigment is absent from hair, skin, and eyes (oculocutaneous albinism) or just from the eyes (ocular albinism). Melanin is a dark biological pigment that is formed as an end product of the metabolism of the amino acid tyrosine. When human skin is exposed to sunlight it gradually darkens or tans due to an increase in melanin. Tanning helps protect the underlying skin layers from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.
Facts:
In the past, albinos were often regarded with fear or awe. Sometimes they were killed at birth, although albino births were common enough in some groups not to cause any excitement. For example, among the San Blas Indians of Panama, one in approximately 130 births is an albino. In the mid-nineteenth century, albinos were exhibited in carnival sideshows. Whole families were displayed at times and were described as a unique race of night people. They were said to live underground and to come out only at night when the light was dim and would not hurt their eyes.
Resources:
http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Albinism-Symptoms.htm
http://science.jrank.org/pages/180/Albinism.html
https://eobiology.wikispaces.com/file/view/Albinisitic_man_portrait.jpg
Alternative Names
Oculocutaneous albinism; Ocular albinism; Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome
The symptoms of albinism depend on the specific type of albinism.
Symptoms of the eye:
Decreased sharpness in vision (visual acuity)
Functional blindness
Irregular and rapid eye movement (Nystagmus)
Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
Sensitivity to bright lights or glare (Photophobia)
Wandering eyes (Strabismus)
Distortion of a viewed image (Astigmatism)
Symptoms affecting the skin:
Patchy or absence of the melanin pigment leaving the areas pale
No pigmentation resulting in white skin
Increased susceptibility to skin cancer
Highly sensitive to sunburns
Symptoms of the hair:
Forelock (portion of the hair near the forehead) turns white
Complete absence of pigment in the hair resulting in white hair
Other symptoms:
Bleeding tendency
Increased susceptibility to infections
Problem with bowels
Nervous system disorders
Breathing problems due to Lung fibrosis
Deafness
Body Systems Affected:
Albinism is a recessive inherited defect in melanin metabolism in which pigment is absent from hair, skin, and eyes (oculocutaneous albinism) or just from the eyes (ocular albinism). Melanin is a dark biological pigment that is formed as an end product of the metabolism of the amino acid tyrosine. When human skin is exposed to sunlight it gradually darkens or tans due to an increase in melanin. Tanning helps protect the underlying skin layers from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.
Facts:
In the past, albinos were often regarded with fear or awe. Sometimes they were killed at birth, although albino births were common enough in some groups not to cause any excitement. For example, among the San Blas Indians of Panama, one in approximately 130 births is an albino. In the mid-nineteenth century, albinos were exhibited in carnival sideshows. Whole families were displayed at times and were described as a unique race of night people. They were said to live underground and to come out only at night when the light was dim and would not hurt their eyes.
Resources:
http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Albinism-Symptoms.htm
http://science.jrank.org/pages/180/Albinism.html
https://eobiology.wikispaces.com/file/view/Albinisitic_man_portrait.jpg
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3 comments:
Albinism can affect the balance homeostasis in the skin by not being able to tan or get darker when in the sunlight. This can eventually lead to more serious conditions later on in life.
People with albinism also experience corneal scarring. Corneal scarring affects the iris and can blur someone's vision.
Albinism decreases the body's ability to absorb vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones. Without vitamin D, the human body is more susceptible to a disease called rickets.
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