I am a Survivor, I have conquered Retinoblastoma-Retinoblastoma Week Celebrations

The world changes for parents once their child is born. The first smile looking at the mother, his little first step, the first time she crossed the threshold are events which in today's era of digital cameras are captured by most parents. Little would a parent imagine that the innocuous white glow seen in a child's photograph was indicative of a life threatening condition.

Retinoblastoma is a cancerous growth that occurs in the eye. Retinoblastoma can present as a white reflex at the pupil of the eye (Cat’s eye like appearance) or as a squint. Rarely, if ignored in the early state, it can cause protrusion of the eyeball. It is thought to affect 1 in 20000 live births.

To raise awareness of this condition, Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore brought together 35 children treated at its ocular oncology department. The evening was a combination of an informative session where parents were counseled on rehabilitation of their children and also a celebration with the children playing games in the Sankara-Sightsavers Inclusion Park. The event is supported by Sightsavers and "Surya" a volunteer initiative which supports the community eye care activities at Sankara.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Mahesh Shanmugam, Head Vitreoretina & Ocular Oncology shared that, “It is essential for pediatricians and ophthalmologists to be aware about retinoblastoma. Early diagnosis and treatment may save both eyes in some children but definitely life of most children. 9 out of 10 children receiving treatment survive retinoblastoma and go on to lead a normal life. Even advanced retinoblastoma that used to result in death of most children can be treated effectively with newer treatment options. "

The treatment of ocular cancers includes chemotherapy, localized radiation and often in advanced stage a surgical procedure called enucleation where the eye is sacrificed to protect life. There are also a number of other conditions where the eye may be deformed without useful vision.

"Krishnarpanam" – Sankara Budhrani Ocular Oncology Department was established with support from Budhrani Trust and Sightsavers to become one of 4 centres across the country providing chemotherapy, ruthenium brachytherapy (Radiation), transpupilary thermotherapy and surgical care. Over the past 2 years the centre has treated over 210 patients with a majority of them being afflicted with retinoblastoma. The department headed by Dr Mahesh Shanmugam is a nodal centre associated with ICMR to establish a registry for retinoblastoma.

Sankara Eye Care Hospital Bangalore is a unit of Sankara Eye Care Institutions India (www.sankaraeye.com) one of the largest providers of community eye care in the country. Over the past 5 years the225 bedded specialty hospital has become a referral hospital of choice for a variety of eye ailments. The hospital has been recognized with a number of awards including the first Namma Bengaluru Award, FICCI Healthcare Excellence Award, Hospital Management Asia Award and the inaugural award instituted by Vision 2020 India.