Red eyes a rare kind of albinism

People Posted by oddplanet on Fri, Aug 4th, 2023 @ 10:35:05 AM 58 0

Red eyes are even within humans with albinism uncommon. Have you ever wondered why some people have red eyes? No, I’m not talking about the bloodshot eyes you get from staying up too late or rubbing your eyes too hard. I’m talking about the rare condition of having red irises, like a vampire or a demon. Well, in this blog post, I’m going to explore the occurrence, symbolism, history, and psychology of red eyes. Let’s dive in!

Frequency

First of all, how common are red eyes? The answer is: very uncommon. They are caused by a genetic mutation that affects the amount of melanin in the iris. Melanin is the pigment that gives color to your skin, hair, and eyes. The more melanin you have, the darker your eyes will be. People with red eyes have very little or no melanin in their irises, which allows the blood vessels to show through. This condition is also known as albinism or ocular albinism, and it affects about one in 20,000 people worldwide.

Some albinos have red eyes

Albinism is a rare condition that causes a lack of pigment in the hair, skin and eyes, and sometimes results in red eyes due to the visibility of the blood vessels in the retina. [Albinism – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic] [Albinism in humans – Wikipedia]

There are different types of albinism depending on which gene has undergone mutation. Some types of albinism affect only the eyes, while others affect both the skin and eyes. The type and amount of melanin in the body determines the color of the skin, hair and eyes. [Albinism – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic]

Oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1)

The type of albinism that gives red eyes is called oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1). This is caused by a mutation in the TYR gene, which encodes an enzyme called tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is involved in the production of melanin from an amino acid called tyrosine. People with OCA1 have little or no tyrosinase activity, which means they cannot produce any melanin at all. This results in white hair, very pale skin and pink or red eyes. [Albinism in humans – Wikipedia] [Albinism | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services]

People with OCA1 have very sensitive eyes and skin, and need to protect themselves from sun exposure and bright light. They also have vision problems, such as nystagmus (rapid eye movements), strabismus (crossed eyes), photophobia (light sensitivity), and refractive errors (near- or far-sightedness). They may also have a higher risk of developing skin cancer due to sun damage. [Albinism in humans – Wikipedia] [Albinism | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services]

OCA1 is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, which means that both parents must carry a copy of the mutated TYR gene for their child to have OCA1. The parents may not have albinism themselves, but they are carriers of the condition. If both parents are carriers, there is a 25% chance that their child will have OCA1, a 50% chance that their child will be a carrier, and a 25% chance that their child will not have or carry OCA1. [Albinism | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services] [Albinism and Human Eyes: How Does Albinism Affect Vision?]

OCA1 is one of the most severe forms of albinism, but it is not the only one that can cause red eyes. Other types of albinism that may result in red eyes are OCA2, OCA3 and OCA4. These are caused by mutations in different genes that also affect melanin production, but to a lesser extent than OCA1. People with these types of albinism may have some pigment in their hair, skin and eyes, but not enough to mask the red color of the blood vessels in the retina. [Albinism in humans – Wikipedia] [Albinism | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services]

Albinism is a rare and complex condition that affects people of all races and ethnicities. People with albinism are not different from other people, except for their appearance and vision. They are normal human beings who have inherited a genetic variation that affects their pigment production. They can live normal and productive lives with proper care and support. [Albinism | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services]

Supernatural powers attributed to red eyes

Egyptian god Set

They have been a source of fascination and fear throughout history. In many cultures, they are associated with evil, supernatural, or demonic forces. For example, in ancient Egypt, the god Set was depicted with red eyes and was the enemy of Osiris, the god of the underworld. In Greek mythology, the Cyclops had one red eye and was a monstrous creature that devoured humans. In Christianity, the devil is often portrayed with red eyes and horns. In folklore, vampires and werewolves have red eyes and prey on innocent victims.

However, not all red-eyed beings are evil. Some are revered as powerful, wise, or heroic. For example, in Hinduism, Shiva is one of the main gods and has three red eyes that represent his omniscience and omnipotence. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of strength, luck, and prosperity and has red eyes that can see through anything. In Japanese culture, the kitsune is a fox spirit that can have up to nine tails and has red eyes that indicate its age and wisdom.

In modern times, they are still a rare and striking feature that can attract attention and admiration.

Who is red-eyed?

According to the web search results, albinism is a rare condition that causes a lack of pigment in the hair, skin and eyes, and sometimes results in red eyes due to the visibility of the blood vessels in the retina. [Albinism in humans – Wikipedia] [Albinism – Wikipedia]

There are not many politicians with albinism and red eyes, but some of them are:

Mwaura Isaac Maigua, a Kenyan politician, a disability advocate, and currently Cabinet Administrative Secretary (CAS) – Deputy Minister in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary within the Presidency. He was the first Member of the National Assembly (MP) and Senator in Kenya with Albinism. He has red hair, light skin and blue eyes. [Albinism in humans – Wikipedia]
Gaetan Dugas, a Canadian politician and former mayor of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Quebec. He was the first person with albinism to be elected mayor in Canada. He has red hair, fair skin and brown eyes.
Salif Keita, a Malian politician and singer-songwriter who is known as the “Golden Voice of Africa”. He was a member of the National Assembly of Mali from 2002 to 2007 and an advocate for the rights of people with albinism. He has red hair, red-bronze skin and brown eyes. He has a type of albinism called rufous albinism or OCA3 albinism, which usually affects dark-skinned people. [Albinism – Wikipedia] [Albinism and Human Eyes: How Does Albinism Affect Vision?]

These are some examples of albino politicians with red eyes who have made an impact in their respective fields and countries. They are not only remarkable, but also courageous and influential.

There are not many celebrities with albinism and red eyes, but some of them are:
NEW YORK, NY – September 05, 2019: Shaun Ross (R) attends The Daily Front Row’s 7th annual Fashion Media Awards at The Rainbow Room

Nastya Zhidkova, a Russian model and singer who is considered to be the most beautiful albino in the world. She has platinum blonde hair, pale skin and pink eyes. She has appeared in various magazines and music videos. [58 Albino People Who’ll Mesmerize You With Their Otherworldly Beauty] [Famous People with Albinism – Health Guide Net]
Connie Chiu, a Chinese-born Swedish model and jazz singer who is the first albino model in the world. She has white hair, light skin and pink eyes. She has worked with famous photographers and designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier and Nick Knight. [58 Albino People Who’ll Mesmerize You With Their Otherworldly Beauty] [Famous People with Albinism – Health Guide Net]
Shaun Ross, an American model, actor and dancer who is the first albino male model in the world. He has blonde hair, fair skin and blue eyes. He has modeled for brands such as Alexander McQueen, Givenchy and Vogue. He has also appeared in films and music videos such as Beyoncé’s “Pretty Hurts” and Lana Del Rey’s “Tropico”. [58 Albino People Who’ll Mesmerize You With Their Otherworldly Beauty] [Famous People with Albinism – Health Guide Net]

These are some examples of albino celebrities with red eyes who have achieved success and recognition in their fields. They are not only beautiful, but also talented and inspiring.

Fictional characters

There are many examples of fictional characters who have red eyes or are albino in various media, such as books, comics, movies, games, and anime. Here are some of them:

In the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, Lord Voldemort is the main antagonist who has red eyes and a pale, snake-like appearance. He is a powerful dark wizard who seeks to conquer the wizarding world and eliminate those he considers inferior. [Albinism in popular culture – Wikipedia]
In the X-Men comics and movies by Marvel, Remy LeBeau, also known as Gambit, is a mutant hero who has red eyes and brown hair. He can manipulate kinetic energy and charge objects with explosive force. He is also a skilled thief and a master of cards and staffs. [The 20 Greatest Comic Book Characters With Red Eyes – Ranker]
In the Star Wars franchise by George Lucas, Darth Maul is a Sith lord who has red eyes and black tattoos on his face and body. He wields a double-bladed lightsaber and is an expert in martial arts and the dark side of the Force. He is the apprentice of Darth Sidious and the enemy of the Jedi. [Category:Fictional characters with albinism – Wikiwand]
In the Tokyo Ghoul manga and anime by Sui Ishida, Ken Kaneki is the protagonist who becomes a half-ghoul after being transplanted with ghoul organs. He has red eyes and black hair that turns white due to stress. He can manifest a kagune, a ghoul’s predatory organ, and has enhanced physical abilities. He struggles to balance his human and ghoul identities and fights against the oppression of ghouls by humans.
In the Naruto manga and anime by Masashi Kishimoto, Itachi Uchiha is a ninja who has red eyes with black markings called the Sharingan. He is a prodigy who can use various techniques such as genjutsu, ninjutsu, and taijutsu. He is also a member of the Akatsuki, a criminal organization that seeks to capture the tailed beasts. He is the older brother of Sasuke Uchiha and has a complex relationship with him.
In the The Da Vinci Code novel and movie by Dan Brown, Silas is an albino monk who works as an assassin for Opus Dei, a Catholic sect that wants to suppress the truth about Jesus Christ’s bloodline. He has white hair, pale skin, and pink eyes. He is also a self-flagellant who inflicts pain on himself as a form of penance. He is manipulated by Bishop Aringarosa and pursues Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu, who are trying to solve the mystery of the Holy Grail.

Personality of people with red eyes

What does having red eyes say about your personality? According to some psychologists, eye color can reveal some aspects of your character and temperament. People with red eyes are said to be passionate, creative, adventurous, and independent. They are also prone to anger, impulsiveness, rebelliousness, and unpredictability. They tend to be leaders rather than followers and have a strong sense of justice and morality. They are not afraid to stand out from the crowd and express their opinions.

Of course, these are just generalizations and stereotypes that may not apply to every individual with red eyes. Ultimately, your eye color is just one part of your identity and does not define who you are as a person. You are much more than your appearance and you have the power to shape your own destiny.

Conclusion

So there you have it: a brief overview of the phenomenon of red eyes. I hope you learned something new and enjoyed reading this blog post. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. And if you have red eyes yourself or know someone who does, share your experience with us. Thanks for reading!