Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by selective and progressive loss of melanocytes due to a chronic autoimmune inflammatory response.  Vitiligo lesions are completely lacking in melanin, non-scaly, and have distinct margins.  Vitiligo can affect people of any skin tone, ethnicity, gender, and age.

The term albinism usually refers to oculocutaneous (ok-u-low-ku-TAY-nee-us) albinism (OCA). OCA is a group of disorders passed down in families where the body makes little or none of a substance called melanin. The type and amount of melanin in your body determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes. Melanin also plays a role in the development and function of the eyes, so people with albinism have vision problems.