MISCONCEPTION ABOUT ALBINISM

One of the misconception about albinism is exposing a child with albinism to the sun will help him her develop resistance to sunburn, darken his or her skin in an attempt to reduce discrimination among others.

The truth is that many parents do not know they are carriers of recessive albinism genes until they give birth to a child with albinism.

The only difference between persons with albinism and other human beings is that persons with albinism have bodies that produce little or no melanin they may have white, yellow, light brown, eyelashes and eye brows because of the lack of melanin in the hair.

The lack of melanin in the eyes impacts on sight while its lack in the skin her consequences on their health and lifestyle choices.

Eyesight and eye problem differ from person to person most PWA have low vision, they have varying degree visual impairment is extremely complex.

In albinism the front and back of the eye develop differently and nerve connection between the eye and brain.

Albinism does not cause total blindness although many with the condition are classified as legally blind.

P.W.A.S is of equal intelligence to anyone else and no scientific study has ever linked the condition to impaired brain function or mental processing in any way.

The complex visual impairment cause by albinism is non-degrading does not worsen over time ,glasses can improve vision to a small or great degree depending on the individual but some loss of detailed vision will still remain for P.W.A.S

Vision can be enhance and optimize by low vision devices and adjustment to lighting or seating position ,optometry services for P.W.A.S is not common in Nigeria as a result ,peculiar vision needs of P.W.A.S are not well attended to.

People with albinism should avoid unprotected sun exposure at all times by wearing sunglass ,hat , long sleeve ,shot , pant and by applying sunscreen doing these will automatically reduce the likelihood of skin cancer and premature death according to D.R OLUSOLA AYANLOWO a dermatologist.