Hunter BoundsApril 11, 2014Miss MathisAlbinismAlbinism is a genetic disease caused by lack of pigments. Sometimes it only affects the eye, called ocular albinism. You can get albinism because of your genetics. You may be albino in your eyes, skin or hair. It affects people of all races and all over the world. Studies show that one in 20,000 people worldwide have some form of albinism. Some forms of albinism are more common in certain populations. The most common form of albinism is OCAZ and is found in one in 36,0000 Caucasians in the United States. There are four types of albinism; Type 1 is characterized by white hair, very pale skin, and light eyes. Type 2 is less severe, their skin is usually creamy white in color and their hair can be light yellow, blonde or light brown. Type 3 has a form of albinism called “redhead oculocutaneous albinism” that usually affects people with dark skin. They have reddish-brown skin, red or ginger hair, and hazel or brown eyes. Type 3 has milder vision problems. Type 4 has the same symptoms as type 2. Types 1 and 2 are the most common forms; Types 3 and 4 are not as common. http://ghr.nim-nih.gov/condition/oculocutaneous-albinism. Genetics Home Reference, March 2007. People who have vision problems due to albinism cannot completely improve their vision with glasses or contact lenses. Problems start in the eyes with poor development. Albinism reduces the pigment in the colored part of the eyes (iris) and the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). They will not see things clearly and will have rapid eye movements that cannot be controlled (nystagmus) and very sensitive to bright lights (photophobia). They might also have... middle of paper ......k that if they have sex with a woman with albinism, they will cure a man with AIDS and that many women have been raped at cause of this. Jamaicans believe that people with albinism are cursed. People with albinism are late or dead, or albinism is contagious. You should ask your child to see a doctor when they are born if they are missing pigment in their hair or eyes. The doctor should monitor them closely by performing eye exams and blood tests. Another way to tell if your child might have albinism is if at birth the child has a back-and-forth movement of his or her eyes or turns like a rotary (nystagmus). In my opinion albimisn is not good, but at least most of the time it is. does not endanger life. Most eye problems can be relieved, but not cured. The only thing that is bad, as I mentioned earlier, is the possible bullying and all the myths that scare others..