Abstract

Albinism is a heterogenous group of disorders of melanin synthesis or distribution that is genetically inherited. Refractive errors are common in participants with albinism and high values have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of refractive errors in people living with albinism in North-Western Nigeria. This was a prospective hospital-based study, carried out over 12 months from April 2017-March 2018 (12 months) whereby persons with albinism from Kano and Jigawa states were recruited. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical review board of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. A structured proforma was used to record findings of history, examination and subjective and objective refraction were measured for each patient. Data was analysed using the statistical software SPSS version 20.0. A total of 61 participants with 122 eyes were examined. There were 32 males and 29 females (M: F= 1:1.1). Their ages ranged from 19 months to 60 years with a mean age of 16.77 ± 12.82 years. The pattern of refractive errors was hypermetropic astigmatism (38.90%), myopic astigmatism (30.60%), hypermetropia (8.30%) and mixed astigmatism (4%). Refractive errors are common in participants with albinism. In this study hypermetropic astigmatism is the most common refractive error.

Key words: Albinism, pattern, refractive error.