Albinism is a genetic condition characterized by little or no melanin pigment production in the body. This results in pale skin, hair and eyes that lack pigmentation. There are two main types - ocular albinism which only affects the eyes, and oculocutaneous albinism which affects the eyes, hair and skin. Problems associated with albinism include increased risk of sun damage and skin cancers due to lack of sun protection, as well as vision impairments. While there is no cure, symptoms can be managed through sun protection, eyewear and sometimes surgery. Albinism occurs in both humans and animals.

1. ALBINISM
ALBINISM

2. CONTENTS
• What is Albinism?
• What causes it?
• What are the problems associated with it?
• Types of Albinism
• What are the treatment options for albinism?
• Animals and plants with albinism
• Albinism in Tanzania
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3. What’s ALBINISM?
• Latin  Albus = “White”
• Little or no melanin pigment
• Humans,animals and plants can have Albinism
• 1 in every 20.000 people

4. • have white or very light blonde hair
• sometimes brown or ginger hair
• very pale skin

5. What causes it?
• inherited genetic
condition
• passed down by both
parents
• one or more defective
genes

6. • one in four chance  albinism +
• one in two chance  carrier +
• one in four chance  albinism - / carrier -

7. What are the problems associated with it?
• Two main problems
1.Skin Problems
2.Eye Problems

8. • They have very fair skin which is prone to burn easily in
the sun.
• at higher than average risk of skin cancer
• no natural protection against the sun
SKIN PROBLEMS

9. EYE PROBLEMS
• very pale blue or grey eyes
• vision is impaired
• photophobia  sensitivity to light
• Nystagmus  involuntary, rhythmic eye movements
• Squint  where the eyes point in different directions

10. TYPES OF ALBINISM
• two main categories of albinism
1. Ocular albinism
2. Oculocutaneous

11. 1. OCULAR ALBINISM
• eyes lack melanin pigment
• skin and hair appear normal or only slightly lighter
• accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all albinism cases

12. 2. Oculocutaneous Albinism (OCA)
• most common form of albinism
• dilution of the color of the hair, skin, and eyes
• 4 main subtypes
A. OCA1
B. OCA2
C. OCA3
D. OCA4

13. OCA1
• white hair
• very pale skin
• light-colored irises

14. OCA2
• minimal amount of melanin pigment
• less severe
• skin creamy white color
• hair may be light yellow, blond, or light brown

15. OCA3
• usually affects dark-skinned people
• reddish-brown skin
• ginger or red hair
• hazel or brown irises

16. OCA4
• similar symptoms to OCA2
• light skin
• yellow, blond or light brown hair
• occurs frequently in the Japanese and Korean
populations

17. TREATMENT
• no cure for albinism
• only ease the symptoms
• wear protective clothing, hats
and eyewear
• use sunscreen
• Glasses
• Eye muscle surgery

18. SOME ANIMALS AND PLANTS
WITH ALBINISM

31. Albinism in Tanzania
• 1 in 1,400 people being
affected
• killed by attackers for
their body parts
• bring good luck

32. • The government is building shelters for people with Albinism
• They are trying to stop the attackers

33. THANKS FOR LISTENING . . .