National charity the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) has praised popular TV drama Call the Midwife for raising awareness of the rare cancer retinoblastoma (Rb), which typically occurs in babies and children up to the age of six.
Although some of the treatments depicted in the show – which is set in 1969 – are different from today, seeing a white glow in the eye in a photograph remains a possible sign of the cancer, which needs to be checked by a health care professional – CHECT emphasised.
Around one child a week in the UK is diagnosed with Rb, says the charity.
In the 10-year period from 2012 to 2022*, the main presenting symptoms of retinoblastoma were:
• A white glow in the eye (observed in the eye or in a photo): 77 per cent
• A new squint: 33 per cent
• Change in colour of iris: nine per cent
• Loss of vision: eight per cent
• Redness or swelling without infection: seven per cent
• Roaming eyes / child not focusing: eight per cent
• Absence of red eye: one per cent
Richard Ashton, CHECT chief executive, said: “We are delighted to see the BBC raising awareness of retinoblastoma on Call the Midwife. It is so important that parents know that a white glow seen in the eye or in a photo needs to be checked by a GP or optometrist as soon as possible to rule out a serious underlying condition.”
To watch this episode of Call the Midwife, go to episode 5 of series 13 on BBC iPlayer.
For more information on retinoblastoma for opticians go to www.chect.org.uk/optician
* Data gathered by the CHECT from parents of 372 children diagnosed with Rb in the UK in 2012-22.