Essay On Albinism

Hunter Bounds

April 11, 2014

Miss Mathis

Albinism

Albinism is a genetic disorder that is caused by the lack of pigments. Sometimes it only affects the eye which is called ocular albinism. You can receive albinism from your genetics. You can be an albino in your eyes, skin or hair. It affects people of all races and all around the world. Studies show one in 20,000 people worldwide have some form of albinism. Certain forms of albinism are more common in some populations. Most common form of albinism is OCAZ and is found in one in 36, 0000 Caucasians in the United States. There are four types of albinism; type 1 is characterized by white hair, very pale skin, and light colored eyes. Type 2 is less severe their skin is usually a creamy white color and their hair could be a light yellow, blonde or light brown. Type 3 has a form of albinism called “rufous oculocutaneous albinism” this usually affects dark-skinned people. They have reddish-brown skin, ginger or red hair and hazel or brown eyes. Type 3 has milder vision problems. Type 4 has the same symptoms similar to type 2. Types 1 and 2 are the most common forms; types 3 and 4 are not as common.

Http://ghr.nim-nih.gov/condition/oculocutaneous-albinism. Genetics home reference, March 2007.

People that have problems with vision due to albinism can’t fix their vision completely with glasses or contact lenses. The problems start in the eyes with poor development. Albinism reduced the pigment of the colored part of the eyes (iris) and the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). They will not see things sharp and will have fast eye movement that can’t be controlled (nystagmus) and very sensitive to bright lights (photophobia). They could also have...

... middle of paper ...

...k that if they have sex with a woman with albinism will cure a man with aids and many women have been raped because of this. People in Jamaica think people with albinism are cursed. People with albinism are retarted or dead or albinism is contagious.

You should have your child see a doctor when it’s born if the child lacks pigment in their hair or eyes. The doctor should follow them closely doing eye exams and blood work. Another way to tell if your child might have albinism is at birth the child has movement of their eyes back and forth or turns like a rotary (nystagmus).

In my opinion albimisn is not good to have but at least most of the time it is not life threatening. Most of the eye problems can be helped just not cured. The only thing that is bad like I mentioned before is the possible bullying and all of the myths that make other people scared of them.