Admin – Page 5 – Pals Retina Care

Who should get their retina checked

Ideally every eye exam should also include a dilated eye examination. After the age of 40, yearly retinal exam is mandatory.

Following are patients who need a thorough retinal exam

Those with diabetes( recently diagnosed and already on diabetic therapy)
Those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart( cardiac ) conditions
Those with any other multiple systemic issues
Those with high minus power( > -4)
Those with history of retinal surgeries in family
Those with eye injury( ball, shuttle cork and other forms)

How is Retina checked

Thorough status of retina cannot be evaluated by a normal eye exam. To have a proper evaluation , special drops called as dilating drops are put after which retina can be properly checked.

After putting the drops the vision gets blurry which is temporary and lasts no more than 2 hours. It is important to avoid driving for the same period.

What is Retina and where is it located

Retina is an important sensory part of the eye. The images that we see are generated through the front part of the eye comprising of cornea and lens which are then focused onto the Retina. It can be compared to a film in a camera where the images are formed.

What are the signs of eye cancer

Depending
on where the cancer is clinical signs and symptoms can vary. In children white
appearing area in the centre of the eye, squinting of eyeball are early signs of
cancer. In adults any sudden visual blurring, seeing sudden black objects(
floaters which are increasing), sudden onset of sensation of sparks of light( flashes) can be signs of
having eye cancer. Any noticeable new lumps or swelling in the region of the
eye needs quick examination by an eye surgeon.

Can cancer from other sites go inside the eye

Yes.
Cancer from other site of body like breast, lungs, kidney can spread to eye. Patient known to have any form of cancer anywhere in body if having visual blurring should consult an eye doctor at the earliest.

What are other eye cancers

Choroidal melanoma is the most common eye cancer in adults more than 50-60 years. This cancer is again a treatable type of cancer when detected early and depending on what stage it is done; the treatment varies.

I have heard sometimes, eye has to be removed in advanced stages. What is this surgery

Most importantly its important to save the child. In doing so , specially in advanced cases , the affected eye might need removal. After the eye is removed an artificial eye ball is placed within . Four to 6 weeks later an artificial eye( comparable to the better seeing eye) is placed.

Can retinoblastoma be treated

Retinoblastoma when detected early, can be totally treated and eliminated from the eye. Various different treatment modalities are currently available ranging from chemotherapy, laser, cryotherapy, injections, radiation.

Its important to first save the child, then save the eye.

I had retinoblastoma in my childhood or My parents/ grandparents had retinoblastoma. Can my child also have it?

Having history of retinoblastoma in either of parents/ grandparents / brother/ sister is an important risk factor for developing this cancer. Children with such a history should get their retina examined at the earliest irrespective of presence of any complaints. If your first child has had retinoblastoma, its important to have retinal exam right after birth in the next one. Genetic testing is available which may help us predict chances of your next child having retinoblastoma.

How do I know my child has Retinoblastoma

The most common sign is appearance of a whitish area in the center of the eye. Another worrying feature is when the eye starts going sideways( squinting). In later stages eye can be red and painful.