RETINOBLASTOMA

About:

• Retinoblastoma is the most common eye cancer (malignant tumor) occurring in young children.
• It can occur in one or both eyes and may be hereditary or sporadic. It can be life-threatening as well as take away vision if not treated timely and is detected by seeing White Reflex (WR).
• Nearly 1,500-2,000 children are diagnosed with retinoblastoma every year in India.
• Symptoms
  • White Reflex in the eye: Pupil that looks white or yellow instead of red when light hits it.
  • Squinting: A crossed eye, looking either toward the nose or towards the ear.
  • Poor vision with or without WR. The eye may be red or painful also.
• Treatment: Chemotherapy can be delivered intravenously or intra-arterial and is given by the paediatric oncologist and is the most common modality of treatment. This has to be followed up with local therapy, which is managed by the ophthalmologist using various modalities.