Get involved with Retinoblastoma Week

Rb’s most common symptom is a white glow in a child’s eye

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT), the only UK charity solely dedicated to helping families and individuals affected by retinoblastoma (Rb), has released a set of social media assets to help healthcare professionals raise awareness of the rare childhood eye cancer.

The assets have been prepared ahead of World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week from 14 to 20 May. CHECT has created a page of social media imagery, wording and videos that healthcare professionals can use on their social media channels to help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms, and therefore drive early diagnosis.

Richard Ashton, CHECT CEO, said, “Retinoblastoma typically affects children under the age of six. Around one child a week is diagnosed, representing three per cent of all childhood cancers and 10 per cent of cancers in babies under the age of one in the UK.

“Around 98 per cent of children survive retinoblastoma in the UK but early diagnosis is crucial in order to save a child’s eyes, sight and life. The most common symptoms are a white glow in a child’s eye or pupil in dim lighting or when a photo is taken using a flash, and a squint.”

CHECT, which receives no government funding, has created templates and resources which allow anyone to hold a fun Crazy Glasses Day in their local community, practice or workplace to help raise awareness and funds for the charity.

Access the resources here.

Opticians Protocol on Rb

CHECT has also developed the Opticians’ Protocol on Retinoblastoma. Endorsed by the College of Optometrists and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the protocol aims to up-skill all optical practice staff, especially dispensing opticians, optical assistants and receptionists, on the signs to be aware of and what to do if Rb is suspected.

Written in everyday language, the protocol sets out the main signs and symptoms of Rb – such as a white glow in the eye either in a photo where a flash has been used or in the eye itself or a new onset squint – and what to do if contacted by parents mentioning any of these signs.

Read more about Rb and CHECT’s opticians protocol in next month’s Dispensing Optics out on 1 May.