Albinism is caused by a point mutation that depends on the specific case. The most common form is oculocutaneous albinism, which has four types: OCA1, OCA2, OCA3, and OCA4. Symptoms include little to no pigment in hair, eyes, and skin, eye problems like poor vision, and sun sensitivity. Albinism does not improve or worsen over time, but increases risk of sun damage and skin cancer. Incidence is about 1 in 17,000 in the US but higher in some other areas, and about 1 in 70 Americans carries the gene. Albinism is inherited through recessive alleles, so a carrier can pass on the gene without having albinism

1. Albanism

2. Albinism is a point mutation. The cause for the point mutation (insertion, deletion, inversion) depends on the case.

3. The most well common and well known form of albinism isoculocutaneous albinism. There are four forms of this kind of albinism; OCA1, OCA2, OCA3, and, OCA4.

4. SymptomsLittle to no pigment, depending on the form of the disorder, in the hair, eyes, and skin.Eye problems such as poor eye sight, cross eyes, and oversensitivity to lightMost albinos have astigmatism.Susceptibility to sunburn and skin cancer

5. PrognosisAlbinism does not improve or worsen over time. Life expectancy is not altered by albinism, however albinos are more susceptible to skin cancer via prolonged exposure to the sun.

6. IncidenceAbout 1/17,000 people suffer from albinism in the United States and Europe, however occurrence of the disorder is much higher in Africa and Asia, reaching up to 1/5,000 in parts of the world. About 1 in 70 Americans is a carrier the flawed gene required to have an albino child.

7. InheritanceAlbinism is inherited through genetically recessive alleles. Therefore if an individual receives a mutated tyrosinase gene, the gene whose mutation causes OCA2, from the father, but not the mother, he or she will be a carrier of albinism, but will not suffer from albinism.

8. TreatmentWhile there is no method of treating the symptoms of albinism, there are precautions that sufferers can take such as wearing lots of clothing so as not to leave the skin exposed, wearing lots of sun block, and keeping out of the sunlight. Glasses can be prescribed to those with vision problems, and in severe cases eye muscle surgery is an option.

9. Bibliography"What is Albinism?." NOAH. Copyright 1995-2002. The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation . 5/23/2011. Genetics Home Reference."Oculocutaneous albinism." Genetics Home Reference. May 22 2011. . 5/23/2011. <http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/oculocutaneous-albinism>.A.D.A.M., Inc.. "Albinism." The New York Times. 10/14/2009. The New York Times. 5/23/2011.Jasmin, Luc. "Albinism." Medline Plus. 10/14/2009. . 5/23/2011. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001479.htm>.