I see the photo-poster on the wall of the girls' pediatrician and opthamologist offices. It is of a boy smiling; one eye is red. The red color comes from the blood vessels nourishing the eye. The other eye shows a white reflection. The poster goes on to state that the eye showing the white reflection has a tumor. This type of cancer is rare and it's called retinoblastoma.
It was recent photo showing the white eye, red eye scenario that made my heart sink. Toddler S had just had her eyes dilated and the results of the examination were normal. However, in the back of my mind the possibility that the doctor had missed something was real. First, she was not a totally cooperating 11 month old. If she wasn't turning her face away from the light being shone, she was either trying to grab the light or covering her face from it. Since I tend to err on the side of caution to place any doubt or question to rest, we returned to the doctor for another dilation. Her eyes were as healthy as they could be for someone her age. The bottom line is to have your child be seen by a doctor should you find yourself in a similar situation. The white in the eye may not be cancer, but it could be something else to include amblyopia, corneal injury, cataract, strabismus.
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, it can literally save a child's vision. For further reading visit Retinoblastoma.
No comments:
Post a Comment