Albinism

Albinism, the lack of normal pigmentation, occurs in all races. A rare condition, albinism occurs when a person inherits a recessive allele, or group of genes, for pigmentation from each parent. In this case, production of the enzyme tyrosinase is defective. Tyrosinase is necessary to the formation of melanin, the normal human skin pigment. Without melanin, the skin lacks protection from the sun and is subject to premature aging and skin cancer. The eyes, too, colorless except for the red blood vessels of the retina that show through, cannot tolerate light. Albinos tend to squint even in normal indoor lighting and frequently have vision problems.