Although most vision problems associated with albinism cannot be fully cured, many can be treated with normal or special eyeglasses.
Nystagmus (twitching) can be partially corrected with contact lenses or surgery. Operations on the muscles that control eye movement can reduce twitching and improve vision. Other simpler methods can be used, such as head tilts or closing the offending eye.
The weaknesses associated with strabisms (weakness of the muscle controlling eye movement) can be remedied with therapies beginning at about six months. A preferred method of therapy is eyepatching the preferred eye to promote development of the underdeveloped. Muscle surgery has proved to be only partially effective at vision correction, although it is very effective at fixing the "Lazy Eye" that is sonetimes associated with strabisms.
Photophobia is usually addressed by prescribing dark or tint-adjusting lenses for exposure to bright lights. Many patients prefer just to wear a hat or visor however.
Treatments and solutions for other problems:
People with albinism have problems with exposure to ultraviolet rays. Solutions to this problem are limited to spending only small amounts of time in the sun.
Often overexposure to UV rays can result in skin cancer. This kind of cancer, if diagnosed and treated early, is usually mild and can be cured fairly easily.
People with albinism should always wear sunscreen when going outside. This can drastically reduce the effect of UV rays on a person's skin.
Treatments for Albinism
