World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week from May 10

Hyderabad, May 7 (INN): Each year, more than 5000 new cases of Retinoblastoma are diagnosed in the world. India has the highest number of Retinoblastoma (Rb) affected children in the world, with about 1500 new cases reported each year, informed Centre for Sight Director (Medical Services) Dr. Santosh G. Honavar while addressing a press conference here in city on the occasion of World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week to be observed from May 10 to 16.

Dr Vijay Anand P Reddy, Oncology and Dr Kaustubh Mulay, National Reporting Centre for Ophthalmic Pathology and Raju Kumar, Division of Prosthetic Eyes, all from Centre For Sight, also addressed the press conference.

Dr. Honavar said that Hyderabad has become the hub for Retinoblastoma treatment in the country. The city has the best of the best Retinoblastoma treatment and infrastructure facilities on par with the best in the world.

During the World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week, efforts will be put on to generating public awareness about retinoblastoma, the most common and life-threatening eye cancer in very young children, new born to 3 years of age. A white shiny reflex in the child's eye; crossed eyes or 'squint', swelling of the eye, and continuous watering and loosing vision rapidly, frequently bump into objects and getting hurt are some of the symptoms. Retinoblastoma is completely curable with life, eye and vision salvage if detected early. The National Retinoblastoma Foundation at the Centre for Sight, Hyderabad is a fully equipped referral centre for cost-effective and comprehensive management of retinoblastoma, informed Dr. Dr Vijay Anand P Reddy

Eye cancer specialist treats retinoblastoma by chemotherapy, laser and brachytherapy (an advanced form of local radiotherapy), focusing on saving the child's life, salvaging the eye, and protecting the vision. Treatment ensures 95% of the children are saved from death, over 90% have their eye intact, and over 85% have their vision protected. 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.

CFS treats poor children with Retinoblastoma free of cost with the help of Cankid Grant from New Delhi. Almost nearly ten patients get treat every month free of cost. Nearly 120 such poor patients are taken care of said Dr. Santosh.

The White Eye Detector app helps parents detect the appearance of white eye in pictures of their children. A white pupil can be a normal photographic effect in pictures (like red eye, but white). White eye can also be a symptom of multiple serious eye diseases such as retinoblastoma, pediatric cataract, and Coats' disease. With the help of this Android and IoS based app, one can easily detect Retinoblastoma, he said.