There are some steps in preventing genetic albinism. Albinism includes a group of inherited disorders that are characterised by the little or no production of melanin. The type and amount of melanin your body produces determines the colour of your skin, hair, and skin. Most people with albinism are sensitive to sun exposure and are at increased risk of developing skin cancer. Albinism is an inherited condition that leads to someone having very light skin,hair,and eyes. It happens because they have less melanin, than usual in their body. Melanin gives the skin, eyes, and hair it colour. Except for vision problems most people with albinism are just as healthy as anyone else. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found in your skin, hair, and eyes. Albinism is caused by a mutation in one of these genes.


    Different types of albinism can occur, based mainly on which gene mutation caused the disorder. Albinism is not associated with mortality as some people believe, lifespan Is within normal limits. Because the reduction of melanin inthe hair, skin and eyes should have no systematic effects. The general health of a child or an adult with albinism is normal. Just as parents with some health problems will give birth to children with same problems, so it is with albinism, if parents with the same type of albinism reproduce, all of their children will have albinism. We have to be careful on choosing our partners. For most types of albinism, both parents must carry the genes I order for their child to develop the condition. Most people with albinism have parents who are only carriers of the genes and don't have symptoms of the conditions.

                   Types of albinism

   Types of albinism are based mainly on on which mustard genes caused the disorder, includes

Oculocutaneous albinism

    Oculocutaneous albinism is caused by mutation in one of four genes, people with OCA albinism have milky white, skin, with hair, and blue eyes at birth. Some people with OCA type never experience an increase in pigmentation, but others begins to produce melanin during early childhood. Their hair may become a golden blond, brown or red, and their iris may change colour and loose some translucent.

  Oculocutaneous type 2 is most common in sub Saharan Africans, African Americans. The hair maybe yellow, auburn ginger or red, the eyes canbe blue, gray or tan, and the skin is white at birth, with sun exposure the skin may overtime develop frickles, moles or lentigines.

X Linked ocular albinism 

     The cause of x linked ocular albinism, which occurs almost exclusively in male is a gene mutation on the X chromosomes. People who have ocular albinism have vision problems,but their skin, hair, and eyes color are generally inthe normal range or slightly lighter than that of others in the family.

                Causes of albinism

  •   It is caused by mutation in one of several genes, the genes in question are responsible for various aspects of the production of melanin by melanocytes in the skin and eyes. Most commonly the mutation interferes with the enzymes tyrosinase which synthesis melanin from the amino acid tyrosine. 
  • Depending on the mutation, melanin production can either be slowed or completely stopped. But regardless of the amount of interference with melanin production, there are always associated problems with the visual system with albinism. 
  •  This vision problems occurs because of melanin vital role in the development of the retina and the optic nerve pathways from the eye to the brain.

                  Symptoms of albinism

   People with albinism will have the following symptoms 
  • An absence of color inthe hair, eyes, and skin
  • Patches of skin that have an absence of color 
  • Albinism occurs with visual problems which include, strabismus ( rossed eye), photophobia (sensitivity to light), nystagmus (involuntary rapid eye movements), Impaired vision, or blind and astigmatism.

             Albinism complications

  Complications includes skin disorder as well as social and emotional challenges.

Skin disorder 

    One of the most serious complications associated with albinism is the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

Social and emotional factors 

    The reaction of other people to those with albinism can also have a negative impact on the people with the condition.
  •   Children with albinism may experience name calling, teasing or questions regarding their, appearance, eye wear, or visual devices. Many people with albinism finds the word "albino" hurtful because they are been labelled simply on the basis of looks rather than being thought of as individual.
  • People with this usually look very different from members of their own families or ethnic groups, so they may feel like outsider or be treated as an outsider. All of these factors may contribute to social isolation, poor self esteem and stress.

           Diagnosis and test for albinism

    A complete diagnostic work up includes
   Physical exam, description of changes inthe pigmentation. A thorough exam on the eye, comparison of your child pigmentation to that of other family members.
    A medical doctor specialising in eyes and vision disorder (opthalmology) should conduct your child eye examination. The exam will include an assessment of potential nystagmus, strabismus, and photophobia. The doctor will also use a device to visually inspect the retina and determine if there are signs of abnormal development. A simple test can measure the brain waves produced when light or a reversing pattern is flashed on each eye. This can indicate the presence of misrouted optical nerve.        

   Treatments and medication for albinism

  •  Because the disease is genetic, there is no cure, treatment revolves around minimising the symptoms and watching for changes.
  • Getting the right care for eye problem is essential, including prescription glasses, dark glasses to protect the eye from sun, and regular eye exam. It is also important to watch the skin for changes and to use sun block for protection.
  • Surgery on the optical muscles can sometimes minimise the shaking in nystagmus. Similarly, operation to minimise strabismus can make it less noticeable. The surgery does not improve vision, however, and the level of success in reducing symptoms varies from individual to individual. 
  • Albinism does not get worse with age, And a child with albinism is able to flourish and achieve the same education and employment as the person without the condition.
  • Surgery on the muscles of the eyes to correct abnormal eye movements.

               Prevention of albinism   

     If a family member has albinism, a genetic counsellor can help you understand your chances of having a future child with albinism. He or she can also explain the available test and also help you to figure out the pros and cons of testing for your family member.
      Your popularity is not determined by your color or health but mainly on your character and intellectual ability. Albinism does not affect your brain and mental reasoning, you can still do great things in life irrespective of whether you are albino. Famous people with albinism includes historical figures such as Oxford Don Williams Archibald Spooner, actor comedian Victor Vernado, musicians such as, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Wenston "yellow an" Foster, actor rapper Krodon. To mention but a few, you have to believe in yourself and do the unbelievable.