eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Genetic Disorders

Albinism: Treatment & Medication

Author: Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, McGill University; Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sherbrooke University; Medical Director, Cornea Laser and Lasik MD
Coauthor(s): Khalid Hasanee, MD, Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Fellow, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Toronto; Iqbal Ike K Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Sep 10, 2007

Treatment

Medical Care

Currently, no effective treatment or cure exists for albinism, but the following may be helpful:

  • Low-vision aids: No one device can serve the needs of all patients in all situations. Young children may simply need glasses, while older children may require bifocals. Occasionally, telescopic lenses mounted on glasses (bioptics) are prescribed for close-up work and distance vision. The use of Braille is not necessary as children with albinism read the dots visually.
  • Tinted glasses may be used to reduce photophobia. Some patients do not like tinted lenses; they may benefit from wearing a cap or visor when outdoors.
  • For the treatment of strabismus, it is preferred to start eye-patching infants at age 6 months (prior to completion of eye development). Some cases of strabismus may improve with glasses correction.

Surgical Care

  • Albinos with strabismus rarely achieve binocularity and depth perception after strabismus surgery, possibly because they lack the necessary neuronal connections.
  • Patients with albinism tend to do poorly after retinal detachment repair because of nystagmus and inherently weak retinal pigment epithelium–retinal adhesions.

Consultations

  • Consult a hematologist if a patient is diagnosed with CHS or HPS.
  • Genetic counseling

Medication

No effective medical treatment of albinism is available.

More on Albinism

Overview: Albinism
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Albinism
Treatment & Medication: Albinism
Follow-up: Albinism
References
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References

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  2. Innamorati G, Piccirillo R, Bagnato P, Palmisano I, Schiaffino MV. The melanosomal/lysosomal protein OA1 has properties of a G protein-coupled receptor. Pigment Cell Res. Apr 2006;19(2):125-35. [Medline].

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Further Reading

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Keywords

oculocutaneous albinism, ocular albinism, melanin

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, McGill University; Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sherbrooke University; Medical Director, Cornea Laser and Lasik MD
Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American College of International Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Biomedical Engineering Society, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, International College of Surgeons US Section, Ontario Medical Association, Quebec Medical Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Khalid Hasanee, MD, Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Fellow, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Toronto
Khalid Hasanee, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and Ontario Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Iqbal Ike K Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah
Iqbal Ike K Ahmed, MD, FRCSC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and Ontario Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Gerhard W Cibis, MD, Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology Service, Clinical Professor, Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas; Director, Children's Mercy Hospital, University of Missouri at Kansas City
Gerhard W Cibis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Ophthalmological Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

J James Rowsey, MD, Director of Corneal Services, St Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute, Florida
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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