Amber's Aspirations

Retinoblastoma is the most common form of eye cancer affecting children. Retinoblastoma generally occurs before the age of five. If detected early, and with current therapies, retinoblastoma is fatal in less than 5% of cases. However, most children suffer some form of visual impairment, ranging from moderate vision loss to blindness.  Often the best chance for cure is removal of the child’s eye(s).  The earlier that retinoblastoma is detected and treated, the greater the opportunity to limit vision loss and preserve eyes.

The most common indicator of retinoblastoma is leukocoria, a white cat's eye reflex in the pupil, most often evident in flash photography, as illustrated on the photo on the side of this

page.  If a white reaction is noticed in your child’s eye an urgent referral to an ophthalmologist should be sought.  Other less indicative symptoms of retinoblastoma include an inward or outward turning of the eye (strabismus) or redness or swelling of the eye.  Anyone noticing these symptoms in their child should follow up with a medical practitioner as soon as

possible.

One of the most effective screening methods for retinoblastoma is through flash photography. When a flash photograph is taken, a healthy retina and the layers supporting it, reflect light

back from a camera flash as “red eye”. In a child with retinoblastoma, the tumor prevents the light from reaching the retina, and instead the flash is reflected on the tumor, giving the pupil a white appearance. A white pupil may not be visible in all pictures of a child with retinoblastoma. Size and location of the tumor, as well as the angle from which the picture was

taken all play a role in what is visible.

Some basic tips for the photographic screening of Retinoblastoma include:

* Use a flash;

* Turn off the red eye reduction feature available on most cameras;

* Use the zoom feature of your camera to focus on your child’s face; and,

* Take pictures from a variety of angles to get a thorough look at the retina.

If you see a white reflex in a picture of your child, take your child and the picture to your doctor as soon as possible. A white reflex is not conclusive of retinoblastoma but does warrant urgent examination. The doctor should examine your child’s eyes in a darkened room, with an ophthalmoscope. A referral should be made to an ophthalmologist immediately if the

examination reveals anything suspicious.
--Canadian Retinoblastoma Society