If vitiligo is not treated, what are the consequences?
If albinism is not treated, it can have serious consequences. Primarily, albinism affects the pigmentation of hair and the retina at the back of the eye. Lack of pigment in the retina can lead to photophobia, and some individuals may experience nystagmus, with severe cases showing a significant decrease in vision. The vision of some individuals with albinism may range between 0.05 to 0.1, which has a significant impact on eyesight.
If left untreated, albinism also greatly affects the skin. Individuals with albinism are sensitive to light and are prone to skin cancer under strong ultraviolet radiation. Moreover, some rare types of albinism can cause a decrease in platelet function, leading to a tendency to bleed at a certain age, as well as pulmonary fibrosis.
Albinism is primarily a genetic condition caused by mutations and is linked to heredity. The main issue in albinism is a disruption in melanin formation, leading to reduced pigmentation.