Oculocutaneous Albinism

Dr. Consuelo V. David describes the eureka moment residents experience when a patient presents with a condition they have studied but have never seen in practice. She relates it to her understanding of albinism as a medical student following a rotation in Lilongwe, Malawi. Dr. David provides an overview of oculocutaneous albinism, reviewing each type and the clinical implications. She also describes albino awareness initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa and offers resources that are available for patients. This information is relevant for US physicians who also are bound to care for patients with albinism, with the message that with any genetic condition, a patient's quality of life can be remarkably improved with proper support and education.