PURPOSE: To use molecular analysis to diagnose oculocutaneous albinism
in a patient with an atypical clinical presentation. METHODS: A 34-ye
ar-old woman with a history of strabismus and absent cutaneous pigment
underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination, visual-evoked potenti
als to detect altered optic decussation, and molecular analysis. RESUL
TS: Examination showed fine nystagmus, iris transillumination, foveal
hypoplasia, and corrected visual acuity of 20/25 in each eye. Misrouti
ng of the retinostriate fibers was demonstrated with visual-evoked pot
entials. Mutations in the tyrosinase gene established the diagnosis of
oculocutaneous albinism 1 even though the patient had atypical clinic
al features. CONCLUSION: Molecular analysis can establish the diagnosi
s of oculocutaneous albinism I in the patient with atypical ocular fea
tures.