Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Ocular albinism is an inherited condition associated with certain vision-related problems. When you have ocular albinism, a part of theretina, which is the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye, does not fully develop. This happens partly because the eye does not have enough pigment, also called melanin. Eye pigmentation helps the eyes to develop normal vision.
Ocular albinism affects an estimated one in 20,000 to one in 60,000 males and is much less common in females.Although the eyes of someone with ocular albinism are often lighter colored, the condition does not affect skin or hair color. If there is a lighter skin color compared with their family members, it is usually only a minor difference.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Types of Ocular Albinism
Ocular albinism is a type ofalbinism, but it is not the same asoculocutaneous albinism. When you have oculocutaneous albinism, the condition affects your eyes, hair, and skin. This occurs because of a lack of melanin. Although ocular albinism and oculocutaneous albinism are not the same, the eye problems associated with them are similar.
Type 1 ocular albinism is the most common form of ocular albinism. This is also called Nettleship-Falls ocular albinism. There are other types, but they are much less common.
Ocular Albinism Symptoms
There are several vision-related symptoms that may eventually lead to a diagnosis of ocular albinism, including:
The less common forms of ocular albinism can have other signs and symptoms, such as hearing loss.
In most people, the gene for ocular albinism appears on theX chromosome. When a mother carrying the gene for ocular albinism has a son, there is a 50% chance that the son will have ocular albinism.
In the other, less common forms of ocular albinism, doctors are not certain of the cause.
Healthcare providers will bring together different information to help diagnose ocular albinism. This includes:
Although VEP gives some information related to visual acuity in infants, the visual pathways tested with a VEP test will continue to grow and develop throughout childhood.
There is no treatment for ocular albinism itself. It can be challenging to treat visual problems from ocular albinism since part of the retina never fully develops. However, there are treatments that can attempt to improve your vision.
Regular eyeglasses and contact lenses can improve reduced vision. Even with glasses or contacts, though, your vision with ocular albinism still may be impaired.There also are glasses that have small telescopes mounted onto them to assist with close and distance vision for older children and adults.
Guide to Eyeglasses
Eye doctors can perform surgery for strabismus. This can help improve vision and the appearance of the eyes. Still, the surgery does not usually lead to exact coordination of the eyes.
Ocular albinism does not affect how long a person will live. Although vision loss from ocular albinism will remain throughout life, it will not get worse.Ocular albinism will not cause you to become completely blind, although some people with the condition are consideredlegally blind.Vision may get slightly better as a teenager.
People with ocular albinism usually go on to lead healthy, productive lives, sometimes with the help of visual assistive devices and other support.
If you have ocular albinism, you may not be able to get a driver’s license due to vision limitations.
If you have ocular albinism or you have a loved one with the condition, there are a few tips to help better manage it. These tips can improve both quality of life and any emotions associated with having ocular albinism:
How to Get Your Prescription in Sunglasses
Summary
Ocular albinism is a genetic condition that causes a lack of pigment in the eyes. It is associated with visual problems, such as reduced vision and crossed eyes. There are treatments for the associated visual problems but not for ocular albinism.
A Word From Verywell
Having ocular albinism requires some management of eye-related symptoms or conditions. Keep up with any regularly scheduled appointments with your eye doctor or your child’s eye doctor to ensure the best vision possible.
Types of Eye Doctor Specialists
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medline Plus.Ocular albinism.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Ocular albinism.National Organization for Albinism and Hypopgimentation.Information bulletin–ocular albinism.The Vision of Children Foundation.FAQ about ocular albinism and oculocutaneous albinism.Medline Plus.Ocular albinism.Johns Hopkins Medicine, Wilmer Eye Institute.Albinism.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Ocular albinism type 1.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medline Plus.Ocular albinism.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Ocular albinism.National Organization for Albinism and Hypopgimentation.Information bulletin–ocular albinism.The Vision of Children Foundation.FAQ about ocular albinism and oculocutaneous albinism.Medline Plus.Ocular albinism.Johns Hopkins Medicine, Wilmer Eye Institute.Albinism.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Ocular albinism type 1.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Medline Plus.Ocular albinism.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Ocular albinism.National Organization for Albinism and Hypopgimentation.Information bulletin–ocular albinism.The Vision of Children Foundation.FAQ about ocular albinism and oculocutaneous albinism.Medline Plus.Ocular albinism.Johns Hopkins Medicine, Wilmer Eye Institute.Albinism.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Ocular albinism type 1.
Medline Plus.Ocular albinism.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Ocular albinism.
National Organization for Albinism and Hypopgimentation.Information bulletin–ocular albinism.
The Vision of Children Foundation.FAQ about ocular albinism and oculocutaneous albinism.
Johns Hopkins Medicine, Wilmer Eye Institute.Albinism.
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Ocular albinism type 1.
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