Ocular albinism is an inherited condition associated with certain vision-related problems.
This happens partly because the eye does not have enough pigment, also called melanin.
Eye pigmentation helps the eyes to develop normal vision.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
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.
punch in 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.
The iris may appear normal-colored and may get darker with age.
Causes
key in 1 ocular albinism is sparked by your genes.
In most people, the gene for ocular albinism appears on theX chromosome.
In the other, less common forms of ocular albinism, doctors are not certain of the cause.
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers will bring together different information to help diagnose ocular albinism.
Females with the gene for ocular albinism do not experience the same effects to their vision as males do.
Treatment
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.
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.
Prognosis
Ocular albinism does not affect how long a person will live.
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.
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 punch in 1.
