Sankara Eye Hospital saves life of a six-month-old baby from Retinoblastoma (Eye cancer)

Bangalore, 16 May, 2022: As per recent reports, India peaks the incidence of retinoblastoma in the world with more than 1,400 of 8 ,000 new cases diagnosed each year.  Retinoblastoma, the eye cancer primarily found in children less than five years of age can prove to be fatal if not diagnosed and managed early. While the tumour is not very common in the world, the incidence is about 1 in 10,000 live births each year in India, affecting either one or both eyes.

Most of the cases of Retinoblastoma is noted to have a genetic inheritance. In patients with a positive family history, 40% of the siblings would be at risk of developing retinoblastoma and 40% of the offspring of the affected patient may develop retinoblastoma. In one of the recent incident of retinoblastoma at Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore, the early detection and timely treatment saved the life of six-month-old Baby Janav (name changed), who comes with a positive family history of this cancer. The baby’s father Kumar (name changed) had lost one eye to this disease in his childhood. The baby’s older brother Pranav (name changed) too had lost one eye to the tumour.

Due to the increased awareness with respect to the disease, the family brought the second baby for an early eye check-up and he too was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma in both eyes. With the early diagnosis and treatment, the doctors were able to save the vision in both eyes of baby Janav.

Commenting on this disease, Dr. Ushma Vora, Vitreoretina & Ocular Oncology Department, Sankara Eye Hospital said, “Since the chances of inheriting Retinoblastoma are very high, family screening, genetic analysis and prenatal diagnostic tests can definitely aid in early detection of the disease in neonates and in the forthcoming progeny of families having an eye cancer history. Our timely intervention and treatment helped to control the malignant growth in both the eyes of baby Janav thus salvaging his vision and life”.

With improved techniques, survival of children with Retinoblastoma has improved but low awareness is still a cause of concern. Hence early detection and treatment is vital in saving the life of children. Any symptoms like swelling, irritation, endless watering, abnormal light reflex “white eye”, or “cat’s eye reflex etc in your child ’s eye should not be neglected and must seek medical attention immediately.