A Glimpse Into Albinism

Nearly one in every 17,000 people has some form of albinism and the United States has reported over 18,000 such cases. Sufferers of albinism exhibit very little or have no pigment in their skin, eyes and hair. Strangely enough, parents of those who have this condition in most cases have hair, eye and skin color that are typical of their race and it is rare for there to be a family history of it (Haefemeyer 55-56). Sufferers of albinism have inherited a malfunctioned and altered copy of their parent’s gene that codes for melanin production. This is most commonly known as autosomal

The absence of melanin pigment also causes abnormalities involving the development of the nerves that connect the retina to the brain. Individuals with albinism have nerve connections that are organized in an unusual manner where more nerve fibers cross to the opposite side of the brain than normal. This can be attributed to the decreased depth perception “albinos” experience. Faulty eye to brain nerve connections can also result in a condition common to “albinos” known as Nystagmus (Witkop 2905). This causes involuntary movement of the eye and makes it especially difficult to focus or read. Many sufferers of albinism have to tilt their head in a certain direction in order to decrease the movement and facilitate reading. Eye muscle surgery can reduce the effects of Nystagmus, but a complete cure has not been attained thus far. In fact, none of the eye problems associated with albinism can be cured, but can be reduced to a comfortable level. Tinted sunglasses, bifocals,!

magnifiers, video/text enlargements, telescopic lenses mounted on glasses, and even bioptics all aid in the vision of “albinos.”

Probably most affected by a lack of education regarding albinism are those in Africa who have this condition. A lack of advanced science and technology as well as devastating poverty act to prevent albinism sufferers in that scorching hot region the vital protection that they need from the sun’s piercing UV rays. Most will die very early from some form of skin cancer or another (NOAH .com). Third world countries desperately need the assistance from technologically advanced nations to educate them so that they can take the proper precautions associated with albinism. It is very important to inform the public the truth about albinism rather than letting the current misconceptions and falsities circulate and continue to make it difficult for albinism sufferers to live with their condition.

recessive inheritance, where if both parents carry a gene for albinism, there is a one in four chance that their baby will inhe

Some topics in this essay:
Albinism Physiological, Renaissance Europe, Nystagmus Witkop, Lastly DNA, OCA OC, OCA Witkop, melanin pigment, sufferers albinism, lack melanin, skin eyes hair, skin eyes, eye brain, form albinism, nerve connections, albinism melanin, associated albinism, albinism minimize,