ll as through the pupil. The fovea is a small but most important area of the retina in the inside of the eye. The retina contains the verve cells that detect the light entering the eye and transmit the signal for the brain. The fovea is the are of the retina that allows sharp vision, such as reading, and this area of the retina does not develop in albinism. Scientist do not know why the fovea does not develop normally with albinism, but it is relate to the lack of melanin pigment in the retina during development of the eye. The developing eye seems to need melanin for organizing the fovea. The major abnormality of the eye in albinism involves the development of the nerves that connect the retina to the brain. People with albinism have and unusual patterns for sending nerve signals from the eye to the brain. The nerve connections from the eye to the vision areas of the brain are organized differently from the normal. This unusual pattern for nerve signals probably prevents the eyes from working normally together, and causes reduced depth perception.Strabismus is also common in albinism and is relate to the altered development of the optic nerves. The strabismus in albinism is usually not severe and tends to alternate between the right and left eye.Nystagmus, is an involuntary movement of the eyes back and forth. Many people with albinism learn to use a head tilt or turn that decreases the movement and may even improve their vision. Photophobia (Sensitivity to light) occurs when the iris allows stray light to enter the eye and cause sensitivity. Contrary to common idea, this sensitivity does not limit people with albinism from going out into the sunlight.People with albinism are not blind, but their vision is not normal, and cannot be corrected completely with glasses. Extreme far-sightedness or near-sightedness, and astigmatism are common acuity ranges from 20/20 to 20/400. Normal or near-normal vision is unusual, however, e...
