Case report
Management of visual disturbances in albinism: a case report
1 Optometry and Visual Science Program, School of Healthcare Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2 Chung Optometry Consultant, 2-G-45, Wisma Rampai, Jalan 34/26, Rampai Town Centre, Setapak, 53300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3 Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sg Besi Camp, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Journal of Medical Case Reports 2012, 6:316 doi:10.1186/1752-1947-6-316
Published: 19 September 2012Abstract
Introduction
A number of vision defects have been reported in association with albinism, such as photophobia, nystagmus and astigmatism. In many cases only prescription sunglasses are prescribed. In this report, the effectiveness of low-vision rehabilitation in albinism, which included prescription of multiple visual aids, is discussed.
Case presentation
We present the case of a 21-year-old Asian woman with albinism and associated vision defects. Her problems were blurring of distant vision, glare and her dissatisfaction with her current auto-focus spectacle-mounted telescope device, which she reported as being heavy as well as cosmetically unacceptable. We describe how low-vision rehabilitation using multiple visual aids, namely spectacles, special iris-tinted contact lenses with clear pupils, and bi-level telemicroscopic apparatus devices improved her quality of life. Subsequent to rehabilitation our patient is happier and continues to use the visual aids.
Conclusions
Contact lenses with a special iris tint and clear pupil area are useful aids to reduce the glare experienced by albinos. Bi-level telemicroscopic apparatus telemicroscopes fitted onto our patient’s prescription spectacles were cosmetically acceptable and able to improve her distance vision. As a result these low-vision rehabilitation approaches improved the quality of life of our albino patient.
