The World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week is observed this year from May 11 to May 17. Although it is a rare disease, retinoblastoma is the most common type of eye tumor seen in children.
Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer of the eye which develops in children before the age of 5 years. As the name suggests it is a cancer that starts in retina, which is the inner lining at the back of the eye. Retina is made up of specialized nerve cells that are sensitive to light. If left untreated, the cancer cells spread and fill most of the eyeball. Sometimes if the disease has progressed beyond repair, the eye has to be taken out.
Retinoblastoma - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer of the eye occurring in children. Early diagnosis and treatment, and genetic counselling can go a long way in saving life and vision in children and siblings at risk for this disease.
Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer of the eye occurring in children. Early diagnosis and treatment, and genetic counselling can go a long way in saving life and vision in children and siblings at risk for this disease.
Common but characteristic signs and symptoms of retinoblastoma include:
• A whitish color behind the pupil called leukocoria or ‘cat’s eye reflex’. When the lights are dimmed and torch light is focused directly into the child’s eye, you can see a red reflection (red reflex). This red reflex is absent if the child has retinoblastoma. 60 percent of children with retinoblastoma show this abnormality.
• Reddish pupil that persists, often with pain, is a symptom seen in 10 percent of children affected by retinoblastoma.
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Eye Pain - Symptom Evaluation
Eye pain usually follows trauma, eye infection or inflammation of the eye and the surrounding structures. The cause of eye pain can be diagnosed based on the type of pain and associated symptoms.
Eye pain usually follows trauma, eye infection or inflammation of the eye and the surrounding structures. The cause of eye pain can be diagnosed based on the type of pain and associated symptoms.
Difference
in pupil size Advertisement
Cataract - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
A cataract is cloudiness in the crystalline lens of the eye that results in a gradually progressive painless diminution of vision.
A cataract is cloudiness in the crystalline lens of the eye that results in a gradually progressive painless diminution of vision.
Differently
colored irises Bulging
forward of the eyes Abnormal eye
movements Problems
with vision in one eye or both eyes Cataract Retinoblastoma is a curable disease if detected early. Unfortunately, awareness of this cancer is low in India. And this may be the reason why out of 5000 new cases of the cancer each year, more than 1500 cases are reported from India itself. Even in India, the incidence of the disease is markedly higher in Chennai than in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, or Pune, according to pediatric oncologist Matthew Wilson.
Retinoblastoma Awareness Week may be the right platform for the eye specialists and other health experts to educate people and medical professionals about this cancer. This might (and already has) lead to early diagnosis and therefore better outcome.
In view of this, the Center for Sight Eye Hospital (CFS), Hyderabad, has organized awareness programs during the week. ‘To save the child's life and prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body, the eye may have to be removed in advanced cases. It is possible then, to fit a life-like artificial eye on the child to ensure normal appearance,’ said Dr. Santosh G. Honavar, Director - Medical Services and Head – Ocular Oncology & Oculoplasty, CFS Hyderabad.
L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad, is organizing a series of activities as part of the 7th World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week. The experts will be interacting with people at a public forum. They have also organized an educational program for health care workers to identify the cancer early.
Cankids, an NGO in Delhi, is launching a nationwide awareness program as part of the World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week. ‘The awareness campaign, to be launched under the Sajeev Cankids Retinoblastoma project, is focused on the central message of early diagnosis and identifying the white eye reflex,’ said Cankids chairperson Poonam Bagai.
Sankara Nethralaya treats 80 to 100 new cases every year. ‘Hitherto, the only treatment available was removal of the eye, but now with newer technologies, the eye salvage rate has increased tremendously. The department has all such facilities required for eye salvage including Transpupillary Thermo Therapy, cryo therapy, laser photocoagulation, brachytherapy, local radiotherapy and systemic and local chemotherapy,’ states the hospital.
Other eye institutes all over the country and in the world too are organizing awareness programs on retinoblastoma.
Majority of children treated for retinoblastoma survive and go on to lead normal lives and most of them will even have a normal vision of 20/20.
World retinoblastoma awareness week is the right time to become aware or create awareness about this cancer.
Let’s make a conscious effort to save the child’s eye and preserve their vision!
References:
1. http://www.djo.harvard.edu/site.php?url=/patients/pi/436
2. Retinoblastoma - By Matthew W. Wilson
Source-Medindia
