Every parent dreads to hear the word "cancer", but cancer has a high prevalence in the United States. Early detection of cancer can greatly reduce the severity of the illness and increase life expectancy.

Retinoblastoma is a cancerous tumor of the retina, the thin nerve tissue lining the back of the eye which senses light and forms images. The disease occurs most commonly in younger children, usually before the age of five. Each year about 300 children are diagnosed with retinoblastoma in the United States. The disease accounts for about 3 percent of childhood cancers. Adults can develop retinoblastoma too, but it is extremely rare.

Retinoblastoma may be hereditary or non hereditary. The hereditary form generally affects younger children and may occur in one or both eyes. A child who has tumors in both eyes almost always has the hereditary form of the disease. Retinoblastoma that occurs in only one eye usually is the non hereditary form, which is more often found in older children. About 75 percent of cases occur in only one eye, and about 25 percent occur in both eyes.

Symptoms of Retinoblastoma

• Opaque white area in the pupil (leukocoria), caused by reflection of light off the retina.
• Noted in photographs as white pupil reflex as opposed to an often seen red reflex.
• Problems with eye movement. (eyes may cross, called strabismus)
• Decreased vision in one eye.
• Eye pain
• Pink eye

Several procedures are used to diagnose retinoblastoma, including a complete funduscopic eye exam, in which the eye is anesthetized, and the pupils dilated so the retina can be examined. Other procedures that may be done are CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood tests and DNA and/or genetic testing.

Cockrell Eyecare also utilizes a procedure called an OPTOMAP retinal exam. The OPTOMAP takes a photograph of the inside of the eye with a 200 degree field of view allowing full simultaneous observation of the retina. In addition, computerized manipulation of the photograph to enhance specific areas of the retina is possible to evaluate suspect findings. Both the doctor and the patient can evaluate the photograph together. The procedure is very easy for the patient, it is non-contact, does not require dilation, and literally takes seconds to perform.

One of the main priorities in the treatment of retinoblastoma is a combination of chemotherapy and local treatments such as laser or cryotherapy (freezing of tissue), preserving the eye whenever possible. Radiation may also be used in some cases. The main goal of treatment is to treat the tumor and prevent the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. The eye is spared whenever possible, but may require removal.

As mentioned above, a dilated eye exam is one of the diagnostic procedures required to determine the presence of Retinoblastoma. At Cockrell Eyecare we are dedicated to preserving eye health in infant's and children. We participate in two programs that pursue this goal; InfantSEE and SEE TO LEARN. Both programs provide free eye health evaluations for infants up to 12 months old with InfantSEE and SEE TO LEARN is dedicated to 3 year olds.

If you would like to have any of your children evaluated please contact our offices in Stillwater at 405-372-1715 or Pawnee at 918-762-2573. We also invite you to visit our website at www.cockrelleyecare.com to learn more about your eyes. When browsing our website, click on Eye to Eye and you can review previous articles about your eye and vision health.