is formed. The skin, hair, and eyes, or sometimes just the eyes, are affected.Typically, the hair and skin are white, and the eyes may be pink or pale blue-gray.
Doctors usually diagnose albinism by examining the skin and eyes.
There is no cure, but people with albinism should protect themselves from sunlight to prevent sunburn and reduce risk of skin cancer.
(See also Overview of Skin Pigment Overview of Skin Pigment Melanin is the pigment that produces the various shades and colors of human skin, hair, and eyes. Coloration (pigmentation) is determined by the amount of melanin in the skin. Without melanin... read more .)
Albinism is a disorder of skin pigmentation Overview of Skin Pigment Melanin is the pigment that produces the various shades and colors of human skin, hair, and eyes. Coloration (pigmentation) is determined by the amount of melanin in the skin. Without melanin... read more that occurs in people of all races and throughout the world. It is caused by several rare genetic disorders that, in addition to causing hypopigmentation (an abnormally low amount of melanin) or depigmentation (complete loss of pigment) of the skin, also affect the eyes with decreased vision, misalignment of the eyes (strabismus Strabismus Strabismus is an intermittent or constant misalignment of an eye so that its line of vision is not pointed at the same object as the other eye. If untreated, strabismus can cause amblyopia ... read more 
), and involuntary eye movements (nystagmus).
A type of albinism, called ocular albinism, affects the eyes but usually not the skin and hair. Another type of albinism occurs with bleeding disorders.
Symptoms of Albinism
Albinism is easily recognized by its typical appearance, including white hair, pale or white skin, and pink or pale blue-gray eyes. People's eyes are very sensitive to light and they often try to avoid bright light.
People who have less typical types of albinism may have some color to their skin, their hair may be somewhat red, and/or their eyes may be blue or brown.
Because melanin protects the skin from the sun, people with albinism are very prone to sunburn and skin cancer (especially squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma Squamous cell carcinoma is cancer that begins in the squamous cells of the skin. Thick, scaly growths appear on the skin and do not heal. To diagnose the cancer, doctors do a biopsy. Treatment... read more 
). Even a few minutes of bright sunlight can cause serious sunburn.
Diagnosis of Albinism
A doctor's examination
Doctors base the diagnosis of albinism on an examination of the skin and eyes.
Treatment of Albinism
Sun protection
For strabismus, surgery
No treatment reverses albinism.
Because people with albinism are at increased risk of skin cancers, they should have regular skin examinations and must take steps to prevent sunburn Prevention Sunburn results from a brief (acute) overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Overexposure to ultraviolet light causes sunburn. Sunburn causes painful reddened skin and sometimes blisters, fever... read more 
and decrease their risk of skin cancer Prevention of skin cancer Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Skin cancer is most common among people who work or play sports outside and among sunbathers. Fair-skinned people are particularly susceptible... read more , including doing the following:
Staying out of direct sunlight
Wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection
Wearing sun-protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating of 50 or higher
Applying sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB light with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of 50 or higher
The degree to which clothing Clothing Sunburn results from a brief (acute) overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Overexposure to ultraviolet light causes sunburn. Sunburn causes painful reddened skin and sometimes blisters, fever... read more , even when it covers the body, protects against UV light varies. Generally, the tighter the weave and the heavier the weight, the more protection a fabric provides. Clothing can also be treated with a substance that temporarily increases its UPF. UPF clothing has become more comfortable and easier to find at most sporting goods stores and many other retailers. Clothing with higher ratings provides greater protection.
