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An aberration occurring in humans and other vertebrates, albinism is an absence of pigment in the eyes, skin, hair, scales, or feathers caused by a genetic defect. Albino animals rarely survive in the wild because they lack the pigments that normally provide the protective coloration and a screen against the sun’s rays. Humans have long bred certain albino animals, such as rabbits, for their appearance. In humans with total albinism, the affected person has milk-white skin and hair; the iris of the eye appears pink and the pupil is red. Problems with vision are common in albinism. Total albinism occurs in all races in about one in 20,000 persons.
Examples of albinism in a Sentence
San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025
The Guna have one of the world’s highest rates of albinism, and many live on Digir Dubbu.
—Mark Johanson, AFAR Media, 22 Apr. 2025
Many common causes, including albinism and vitiligo, do not have a cure.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 4 Apr. 2025
Founded in 1991 by Rancho Santa Fe residents Sam and Vivian Hardage after their son was born with ocular albinism, The Vision of Children Foundation has been at the forefront of raising funds for research into rare genetic vision disorders, the news release stated.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Albinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/albinism. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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