Albinism

Albinism refers to a range of disorders that result from a reduction in or absence of the pigment melanin. These vary in severity, but they often cause white skin, light hair, and vision problems. Albinism is an inherited disease characterized by a substantially lower rateTrusted Source of melanin production.

Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color of the skin, hair, and eyes.

People with albinism often have lighter colored skin and hair than the other members of their family or ethnic group. Vision problems are also common.

Melanin normally protects the skin from damage due to UV radiation exposure, so people with albinism are more sensitive to sun exposure. They also have an increased risk of developing skin cancer as early as the teenage years.