6 Things to Know About Ocular Albinism

Unlike oculocutaneous albinism, ocular albinism does not have any associated pigment changes in the skin or hair. However, ocular albinism can result in changes in the eyes that lead to nystagmus, reduced vision, and severe light sensitivity.

Ocular albinism typically has an inheritance pattern that makes it much more common in males than in females, but it can occur in either gender. Ocular albinism is a chronic condition that will affect the individual for their entire lifetime.
 

Appearance of Ocular Albinism

The skin, hair, and nails will all be normal in appearance in individuals with ocular albinism but are often lightly pigmented. The eyes will have much less pigment and are often blue, light green, or gray. It is rare that the eyes will be red with ocular albinism. 
 

Symptoms of Ocular Albinism

An individual with ocular albinism may have many different symptoms including reduced vision, nystagmus (shaking eyes), strabismus (eye turn), head turn, or squinting. These symptoms may occur together, or any subset of these symptoms may present together but the most common symptom for anyone with ocular albinism is horizontal nystagmus. 
 

Blurred Vision from Ocular Albinism

Ocular albinism is sometimes associated with a retinal condition called foveal hypoplasia which results in malformations in the center of the vision. These changes can cause blurry vision at all distances that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Not all cases of ocular albinism will have foveal hypoplasia, but most will still have some amount of reduced vision from other changes that occur in ocular albinism. This poor vision may lead to excessive squinting that can cause brow headaches. 
 

Nystagmus from Ocular Albinism

Nystagmus is a rhythmic shaking back and forth of the eyes which is typically in a side-to-side pattern in ocular albinism. This nystagmus is present from birth and does not cause any motion sickness, dizziness, or vertigo for the individual. However, since the eyes are in constant motion, it can lead to reduced best vision. Nystagmus is often the symptom that presents earliest and is the reason for seeking medical care for an individual with ocular albinism. It must be determined that the nystagmus is not due to another, more concerning cause, such as a tumor or neurological condition. 
 

Strabismus from Ocular Albinism

Strabismus can develop when one of the eyes turns inward or outward. This eye turn will usually develop secondary to reduced vision from foveal hypoplasia or nystagmus. There are many reasons for strabismus to develop, and ocular albinism is a considerably rare cause of strabismus. While there are only a few cases of strabismus caused by ocular albinism, many of those with ocular albinism will also have strabismus. 
 

Head Turn from Ocular Albinism

If the nystagmus that occurs with ocular albinism has a point or gaze that reduces the nystagmus, it is common to have a compensatory head turn or head tilt in the direction opposite of the reduced nystagmus. This point that has the least nystagmus is called the null point. Often, the null point is on the far right or left, if this is the case, the head turn will be in the opposite direction. 

Our eye doctor at The Optical Centre in Longmont, CO excels in the prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at 303-772-6650 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would like to learn more about ocular albinism. Our eye doctor, Dr. Erica Whitmire provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in Longmont, Colorado and its surrounding areas.