Health's Book

Definition

Albinism is a defect of melanin production that results in little or no color (pigment) in the skin, hair, and eyes.

Symptoms

A person with albinism will have one of the following symptoms:

• Absence of color in the hair, skin, or iris of the eye
• Lighter-than-normal skin and hair
• Patchy, missing skin color

Many forms of albinism are associated with the following symptoms:

• Crossed eyes (strabismus)
• Light sensitivity (photophobia)
• Rapid eye movements (nystagmus)
• Vision problems, or functional blindness