Retinoblastoma is a rare but
potentially catastrophic eye cancer that is found in children during a routine
eye exam. We encourage all parents or caregivers of children to be sure that at
least their primary care doctor or pediatrician is performing a simple “red
reflex” test especially under the age of two years to quickly identify children
at risk. This is especially important in less affluent or lower socioeconomic
areas as there are a noticeable disparity in outcomes
for children with retinoblastoma
who have limited access to routine pediatric care. Researchers from Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders
Center report in a study published in the
journal JAMA Pediatrics found that although virtually all
the children in the study survived, Hispanic children and children who lived in
disadvantaged areas were more likely to lose an eye due to late diagnosis.
White children and children who live in areas with a higher socioeconomic
status were more likely to have been diagnosed early enough that physicians
could preserve their eye and vision. The study found:
·
At the time of diagnosis, the disease had
spread beyond the eye in 33 percent of Hispanic children, compared with 20
percent of non-Hispanic children.
·
At diagnosis, disease had spread beyond the
eye in 28 percent of children from high-poverty areas, compared with 20 percent
of other children. Similar disparities were found in other measures of
socio-economic status.
·
Three-quarters (74.5 percent) of Hispanic
children had the diseased eye surgically removed, compared with two-thirds
(67.5 percent) of non-Hispanic children and less than two thirds (63 percent)
of non-Hispanic white children. Among non-Hispanic black and Asian children, 74
percent had their eye removed.
·
Three-quarters (76 percent) of children
living in disadvantaged counties had their eye removed, compared to less than
two-thirds (64 percent) who lived in advantaged counties.
As with many eye problems, conditions
and diseases, retinoblastoma eye cancer can be best addressed with early
detection, diagnosis and treatment. If you or some you know is concerned about a child being at risk for
retinoblastoma or any children’s eye problem call please call Alabama
Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye &
Cataract Center, Google+ or
www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter. Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract
Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands,
1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB
Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.
