In some countries, people with albinism become targets of ridicule, discrimination and persecution. For example, in Tanzania there is a belief that the meat, skin and bones of albinos can help in the treatment of various diseases, for this reason, in recent years, more than 20 residents of this state have become victims of such superstitions. In addition to the strong reaction from society, albinos also face various diseases, including skin cancer. Read the article about why people are born albinos and what are the types of albinism.
Albinism is a genetic disease in which the human body lacks the pigment melanin, which gives color to the skin, hair, iris and pigment membranes of the eye.
The very word "albino" was invented by the Portuguese Francisco Baltazar, the founder of Philippine literature. Calling "white" Africans so, the writer mistakenly believed that such people are born as a result of marriages of Europeans with local residents.
The signs of albinism have a strong enough effect on "ordinary" people who begin to perceive inadequately "colorless". So, in 2001 in the USA, Timothy White killed his colleague David Harrison. The man was so obsessed with stories about various monsters that he mistook Harrison for a vampire and shot the albino first in the face and then in the stomach.
Signs of albinism
Albino people lack melanin in their skin, so exposure to the sun does not cause a tan, instead causing painful sunburns. If the case is severe, albinism can cause skin cancer.
Lack of melanin is also the cause of vision problems, as the retina cannot develop normally due to a lack of this substance. Also, if melanin is not involved in the development of the retina, there is a change in the nerve endings that connect the retina with the brain.
Types of albinism
Complete albinism. Human skin and hair are white, and eyes are light blue. Often albinos have poor eyesight, eyes are very sensitive to light
Partial albinism (vitiligo). This type of albinism is manifested in white spots on the skin. Sometimes white hair is present, but the skin and eyes are pigmented.
Traditionally, albinism is classified into two broad categories:
1. Oculocutaneous Albinism (OCA). Melanin is either absent or reduced in the hair, skin, and visual system. The danger lies in the fact that the lack of this pigment can provoke skin cancer.
2. Ocular Albinism (GA). Changes appear only in the visual system, skin and hair do not change color.
Albino people may experience various vision problems:
- nearsightedness or farsightedness may occur, there is a possibility of a defect in the lens;
- there is a possibility of voluntary or constant movements of the eyeball, which are called nystagmus;
- Problems may occur that are related to eye coordination, tracking, and fixing the gaze on an object. Sometimes a temporary or
- permanent strabismus.
Diagnosis of albinism
In order to detect albinism, the doctor prescribes the following tests:
- DNA genetic testing;
- electroretinogram;
- Chemical hair analysis.
Prevention and treatment of albinism
To date, there are no effective ways to prevent albinism. It is possible to avoid such a disease only by conducting a complete genetic examination of a couple planning to have a child.
People who have albinism should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and use sunglasses.
Unfortunately, scientists have not yet been able to invent effective methods for treating albinism, however, thanks to effective methods, it is possible to neutralize or reduce vision problems. Corrective lenses and spectacles, tinted lenses, monoculars, loupes and biooptic glasses can come to the rescue.
Perhaps in the future, the treatment of albinism will be possible by replacing the defective gene with a normal one.
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