How does a lack of pigment affect the eyes?
• Do all people with albinism have white hair? No. OCA1a is the subtype typically associated with white hair, as people with this type have no pigment. Depending on the type of albinism and the race, people with albinism can have white, blond or brown hair. People with ocular albinism (OA), a subtype affecting only the eyes, can have black hair. • Do all people with albinism have pink eyes? No. Most people with albinism have blue, green, hazel or even brown eyes. The pink appearance is due to the reflection of the back of the eye through a pale iris, as described above. • Is any of this correctable? Not with the technology that is currently available. An ophthalmologist can help correct “lazy eyes” which are sometimes present in people with albinism. However, changes to the retina and optic nerve are currently not reversible. There is a surgery, known as the tenotomy procedure, which is believed to improve nystagmus. For more information, read Tenotomy_Procedure.pdf (150 KB) or contact
