Information for Students Assigned a Report on Albinism What is albinism? Where can I find facts about albinism? What do people with albinism look like? What is it like to have albinism? ... I Read EVERYTHING here and I still have questions about albinism. How can I contact NOAH? What is albinism? Albinism is a group of genetic conditions that causes a lack of pigment. It can effect only the eyes (ocular albinism) or both the eyes and skin (oculocutaneous albinism). Most types of albinism are inherited when an individual receives the albinism gene from both parents. The exception is one type of ocular albinism, which is passed on from mothers to their sons. For more information on the genetics of albinism, see the NOAH Information Bulletin What is Albinism Top Where can I find facts about albinism? Top What do people with albinism look like? While most people with albinism have very light skin and hair, not all do. In less pigmented types of oculocutaneous albinism, (the type of albinism that affects both the skin and the eyes), hair and skin are cream-colored. In types with slight pigmentation, hair appears more yellow or red-tinged People with ocular albinism (albinism that only affects the eyes) usually have normal or only slightly lighter than normal physical appearance. A common myth is that by definition people with albinism have red eyes. In fact there are different types of albinism, and the amount of pigment in the eyes varies. Most individuals with albinism have blue eyes. Some have hazel or brown eyes. See | |
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