Ocular Albinism

I have some signs of ocular albinism, blond fundus,
iris transillumination, nystagmus, but my ERG was normal
and am not sensitive to sunlight. I have never had a VER test.
I've read that this is the best test for this. IS that correct?
Visual Acuity is 20/40. I am red-green color blind.

 

(Dave) wrote in @posting.google.com:

If you can see well, why do you need the test? Would the outcome change
anything you do? The transillumination and the blond fundus seem pretty
categorical to me.

Scott

 

The iris transillumination and nystagmus are sufficient for diagnosis of
ocular albinism. Electro diagnostic testing (ERG and VER) would not add
anything to the diagnostic decision.

Your visual acuity is legal for driving and good enough that you should have
few problems with any visual task. There is no treatment for ocular
albinism so further diagnosis would also not be value.

For more info see:

http://www.revoptom.com/handbook/SECT58a.HTM

Dr Judy

 

To my knowledge, the ERG is pretty much normal to supra-normal in ocular
albinism.

While some in this group have said a VEP will add nothing, I should point
out that this is not entirely true. Albinos have abnormal (increased?)
decussation (amount of crossing) of the optic pathway fibers. It is possible
to measure this decussation with a special type of VEP, which is not
commonly done, as far as I know. More in specialized laboratory situations.

However, it is a moot point, as the rest of the clinical situation is
consistent with ocular albinism, and this test would not change that
diagnosis, nor the treatment and prognosis. So there...


David Robins, MD
Board certified Ophthalmologist
Pediatric and strabismus subspecialty
Member of AAPOS
(American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)