Albinism refers to a group of inherited conditions that results in little or no pigment, a matter which gives the skin, hair, and eyes their color. The primary role of this pigment, called melanin, is to protect the skin from sun damage by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) rays. Albinism, found in people of all races, is caused by a defective gene passed on from either parent. Parents of people with albinism usually do not have the condition. Approximately one in 17,000 people are born with albinism.

For years, it was assumed that only people born with milky-white skin, pure white hair, and pale blue eyes had albinism. Researchers now know there are many different manifestations of albinism, classified into two primary categories: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), of which there are 10 subcategories, means there is little or no pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. Ocular albinism (OA), with five subcategories, means...