Albinism and eye color?

Question

I have Grey eyes that change color depending on what I wear (from bluish to greenish, more blue then green) anyway, my eyes are very very sensitive to light, it hurts when ever I am around bright light and my vision is bad and is getting worst very quickly (I got new glasses a little less then a year ago and, on an eye chart, I can only see lines 3 2 and 1). My mother was reading about Albinism which only occurs (or affects) the eyes, and it says that there is a large percentage of Puerto Ricans with albinism and I both my mother and father are Puerto Rican. anyway I just wanted to know if it seems possible that I could have it in my eyes. (by the way I was born in 1990 if the year is relevant).

Answer 1

You may have it. But, it is more likely if people in your family have had the same condition. Do you know of any ancestors of yours who had ocular albinism?

The only way to know anything for sure though is if you have genetic testing done. Go to your doctor and ask for the test, and only they will be able to tell you.

Edit: The shaking of your eyes sounds like a condition called nystagmus. Many people with astigmatism have nystagmus.

Answer 2

People with ocular albinism have stable vision, but it may be possible that you have albinism and a secondary vision problem- not too likely, but all the same, possible.  However, if you are experiencing photophobia (light sensitivity) and a decrease in BCVA (which is to say, the best vision you get WITH glasses on) you need to be evaluated by an ophthalmologist, who may refer you to other specialists as well.

Answer 3

A human with Albinism typically has RED eyes, so I don't think so.  Do they ever turn red-ish??  If so that's a safe bet.

Answer 4

you sound hot

Answer 5

The pigments in the eye are rarely 'absent'. Most albinos have some pigment. It makes their eyes appear blue or very light. It is a rare bird to see a pure albino, and they do have pink irises.

Most though, have pigment, and it forms on the back of the iris. It's black. No matter what eye color you have, the back of the iris is pretty dark. That's what really stops the light from going into the eye except for the pupil.

With out pigment, albinos have a lot of problems with glare. When most of us have our picture taken, we get this red reflex from the camera from the pupil. Light enters the eye, reflects off the posterior pole where there are blood vessels and pigments that form a reddish color. We see that reflex as the red reflex.

But albinos do not have the pigment, so light bounces around in there causing severe glare problems. Albinos are also myopic a lot of the time. You'll see them with greenish, thick glasses, white hair, pale or pink skin. In the San Blas Islands they are called 'moon children'... special people.

I've doubts you have pure ocular albinism. The genetic profile idea seems a good one to me.

Answer 6

being an albino means you have no pigment in your skin. albino people are generally whiter than white  pale blond hair an grey eyes they have to wear longsleeves and pants and a hat to avoid sunburn.. pretty much everyone  who has light color eyes (I have blue) are very light sensitive.  Its a genetic disorder you are born with.  bad eyesight however is genetic..  and it does come from your parents  90% of the time..

What is Albinism?

The word "albinism" refers to a group of inherited conditions. People with albinism have little or no pigment in the eyes, skin, and hair (or in some cases in the eyes alone). They have inherited from their parents an altered copy of a genes that does not work correctly. The altered gene does not allow the body to make the usual amounts of a pigment called melanin.

Approximately one in 17,000 people have one of the types of albinism. About 18,000 people in the United States are affected. Albinism affects people from all races. The parents of most children with albinism have normal hair and eye color for their ethnic background, and do not have a family history of albinism.