The Difference in Albinism and Vitiligo
Albinism is a familial disease characterized by the complete or
partial absence of melanin pigment. Vitiligo is also a skin disease in
which melanocytes(melanin forming cells) are destroyed and as a result
white patches are appear in different parts of body of affected
person.
Albinism and vitiligo are occasionally confused with each other but
they are relatively different and unrelated disease entities. Albinism
is a hereditary disease while vitiligo is an auto-immune disorder.
Albinism is a stable and incurable disease while vitiligo is curable.
Albinism arises as a result of biochemical imperfection in the
production of melanin pigment whereas vitiligo crops up as a result of
auto-immune demolition of melanocytes.
Albinism is of two types, one in which melanin containing areas of
body (i.e. skin, hair and eyes ) of an individual are affected and
second is ocular albinism in which only eyes are affected. Such a
person may not be able to see in bright light.