Hunter BoundsApril 11, 2014Miss MathisAlbinismAlbinism is a genetic disease caused by a lack of pigment. Sometimes it affects only the eye and is called ocular albinism. You can get albinism from your genetics. You can be an albino in eyes, skin or hair. It affects people of all races and all over the world. Studies show that one in 20,000 people worldwide suffer from some form of albinism. Some forms of albinism are more common in some populations. The most common form of albinism is OCAZ and is found in one in 36,000 Caucasians in the United States. There are four types of albinism; type 1 is characterized by white hair, very pale skin and light eyes. Type 2 is less severe, his skin is usually creamy white and his hair may be light yellow, blonde or light brown. Type 3 has a form of albinism called “ruddy oculocutaneous albinism” that usually affects dark-skinned people. They have reddish-brown skin, red or ginger hair, and hazel or brown eyes. Type 3 has milder vision problems. Type 4 has the same similar symptoms as 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. Reference Genetics Home, March 2007. People who have poor vision due to albinism cannot completely correct their vision with glasses or contact lenses. Problems begin in the eye with poor development. Albinism has reduced the pigment in the colored part of the eye (iris) and the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). They will not see things clearly and will have rapid eye movements that cannot be controlled (nystagmus) and very sensitive to bright lights (photophobia). They might also have... middle of paper... k that if they have sex with a woman with albinism they will cure a man with AIDS and many women have been raped because of this. People in Jamaica think that people with albinism are cursed. People with albinism are retarded or dead, or albinism is contagious. You should have your child see a doctor when he is born if he lacks pigment in his hair or eyes. The doctor should monitor them closely by doing eye tests and blood tests. Another way to tell if your child might have albinism is if your child has back-and-forth eye movement or spinning (nystagmus) at birth. In my opinion albimisn is not nice to have, but at least most of the time it is not life threatening. Most eye problems can be helped but not cured. The only bad thing, as I said before, is the possible bullying and all the myths that make other people scared..