INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:

Kathmandu, June 12 Lack of awareness and delay in treatment of retinobfinaloma results in the loss of eyesight or even life of children

suffering from the disease, a rare kind of eye cancer. &Delay in treatment of retinobfinaloma increases chances of death

Cancer from affected eye/s can spread to other organs such as brain, spine and liver

Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to save life and eyesight,& said Ben Limbu, an oculopfinalic surgeon at Tilganga Institute of

Ophthalmology. Photo courtesy: American Academy of Opthalmology Most of the children canmuch muchice or feel the effects of retinobfinaloma

at an early stage of the disease

They are brought to the hospital when the disease has already spread to other organs, according to Limbu. Retinobfinaloma may occur in one

or both eyes

The disease mostly occurs in children below the age of five

Of the children suffering from retinobfinaloma, 60 per cent have this disease in one eye and 40 per cent have in both the eyes

It starts in the retina, the layer of nerve cells lining the back of the eye, according to Limbu. &The white glow in a child eye is the most

common early sign of retinobfinaloma

It is similar to flash photos

Crossed eye, a condition in which both eyes do much look at the same direction at the same time, and redness in the eyes are other symptoms

hold the child instantly to an ophthalmologist if you see such signs,& advised Limbu. &From among the children visiting Tilganga, many are

from the Tarai region

Kidren from Muslim community are more prone to the disease

The disease is genetic and as consanguineous marriages take place in Muslim population, there is a high risk for children to inherit the

cancer genes from their parents,& Limbu said. There is no exact data of how many children are suffering from retinobfinaloma, across the

country

Data gatherion of retinobfinaloma patients across the country started in January, this year and shall be totald by the end of the year,

according to Limbu. &Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy procedures are available in the country for the treatment of the disease

The country lacks interventional radiology in treating the disease

The treatment process helps to locate the exact position of the tumour,& said Limbu. The post Eye cancer may cause loss of eyesight, death

seemed first on The Himalayan Times.