It's World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week (May 13-19, 2018).
Retinoblastoma is a cancer that affects one or both eyes of young children, usually before the age of 5 years. Signs can appear as early as before the first year of life. If detected early and with proper management, it can be cured, as is the case in countries with good access to quality health care (up to 98% survival!).
Unfortunately, this is not the case in some other countries where a diagnosis of retinoblastoma could mean a death sentence usually because of late presentation and inadequate care. Early detection is therefore a major game changer in the fight against this nightmare.
What are the warning signs of retinoblastoma?
- A white speck or glow in the eye (commonest presentation in more than half of patients)
The white speck can also be detected from a picture of the child. A normal eye will appear to have a reddish glow. (Here the right eye has a normal "red reflex" while the left eye has an abnormal "white reflex").
- A deviated eye, i.e an eye that is turned inwards or outwards
- A red, painful eye
- An enlarged or protruding eye
- A shrunken eye
Other signs include:
- Blood in the front chamber of the eye
- Pus-like material in the front chamber of the eye
- Abnormal colour of one eye
What happens if it is not treated?
Retinoblastoma affects the cells at the back of the eye. If not treated, the tumour fills up the entire cavity of the eye and can spread to the brain, skull, other bones and lymph nodes, and eventually lead to death.
What should you do if your child has any of the signs of retinoblastoma?
If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. Be sure that the child’s eye is thoroughly examined by an eye doctor as soon as possible. This is one of those times that a stitch in time can literally save a life, an eye, or even some vision.
How can retinoblastoma be managed?
Depending on how early it is detected, it can be managed through various treatment options- cryotherapy, laser, chemotherapy, enucleation (surgery) and radiotherapy (usually a combination).
