2015 World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week
World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week is observed this year from May 10 to May 17. Retinoblastoma is a
type of cancer of the eye which develops in children usually before the age of 5 years. As the name
suggests it is a cancer that starts in the retina, which is the inner lining at the back of the eye. Although it
is a rare disease, occurring in approximately 1 of every 18,000 births, retinoblastoma is the most
common type of eye tumor seen in children. The good news is that it is highly treatable and, if detected
early, has a 95 percent survival rate in the United States. However, if left untreated, the cancer cells
spread and fill most of the eyeball and could spread via the optic nerve to the brain. Sometimes if the
disease has progressed beyond repair, the eye has to be taken out. Although the cause is unknown,
about one-third of the children who get retinoblastoma have a genetic mutation with no prior family
history.
Early detection is key but, because the retina is in the back of the eye, retinoblastoma is difficult to detect
in its earliest stages. Sometimes, in digital photos, a “white glow” can be seen in place of the “red eye”
that is the sign of a normal retina. (This white glow can be a sign of a range of eye disorders.) Parents
are encouraged to get their infants’ eyes checked. Dilating the pupils with drops is the best way to check
the eyes, but pediatricians are not always willing to do this. Keeping the baby in a dark room for about
15-20 minutes prior to an eye exam can be an alternative to dilation drops. Concerned parents may
need to insist on a referral to a children’s ophthalmologist.
Even though awareness efforts have been effective in English-speaking communities in the US, Canada,
and the United Kingdom, much remains to be done to inform non-English speaking parents and
pediatricians worldwide. This is especially true in developing countries, where there is also a need for
better detection and treatment options.
Retinoblastoma International supports efforts aimed at awareness, early detection and treatment, and
research. Our vision is a world in which eye cancer no longer destroys the vision or takes the life of any
child.
For more information, and to find out how you can help, go to:
Retinoblastoma International www.retinoblastoma.net
www.retinoblastoma.net
[email protected]
18030 Brookhurst Street * Box 408 * Fountain Valley, CA 92708