Skin - Hair - Eyes
Albinism affects the production of melanin, the pigment that colours skin, hair and eyes. Affected people need to be careful about sun exposure to their skin and their eyes.
Light sensitivity
The pigment (melanin) that protects the skin from sunburn, is the same pigment that protects the eyes from sun damage. People with albinism need to protect their skin and eyes from the sun. People with albinism tend to find bright lights difficult to tolerate and therefore tend to wear tinted glasses indoors as well as outdoors. Some affected people also wear a sun hat. The Optometrist can give advice on sunshades which block the sunlight from the front as well as from the sides and the top for maximum protection.
Wobbly eyes: Nystagmus
It is common for children with albinism to have involuntary eye movements (nystagmus). They are usually worse when they look in certain directions and more stable in other directions of gaze. It is therefore not uncommon for them to adopt a head posture to optimise their vision. The Low Vision Optometrist can make recommendations for optimal classroom positions to make sure that the child can be as comfortable as possible in the school environment.
Reduced vision
Vision tends to be reduced in people with albinism, but this remains stable throughout life. However, the variety of visual demands placed on a person means that the visual requirements and challenges can be different at different stages of life. For example, when children reach good reading fluency, the print size of text books and reading books tends to reduce and the text tends to be more crowded. This has an effect on their ability to read fluently. It is common for children to hold books close to their eyes. Many children (and adults) benefit from the use of magnifiers to increase the print size. Additionally, the use of telescopic aids can make it easier to see road signs and information on notice boards or in the classroom. These can be prescribed in a Low Vision assessment.
