Page 80 - The Indian Digital Edition September-October 2020

the Red Reflex, Test/Bruckner’s Abigail Wagh is a two-year-old of the visible glow in the photos. The
Reflex, which was explained using child presently battling unilateral diagnosis after further testing was
a practical view to understand, retinoblastoma (Group D) with Coats’ Disease, a rare and progressive
identify Leukocoria and diagnose eye total retinal detachment (left condition that causes partial or
problems. She also highlighted the eye) at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital complete detachment of the retina,
need for understanding leukocoria as for Children & NH SRCC Hospital, eventually leading to complete loss
it can reflect not just Retinoblastoma Mumbai. Her parents have set up of vision in the affected eye.
but over 18 other forms of eye the Abigail Wagh Retinoblastoma
problems such as COATS Disease, Awareness Campaign in India. While Benjamin will undergo
retinal detachment, cataract etc. They have gathered eye and cancer additional eye surgeries later in
specialists, researchers, parents, and life, and his vision is most likely
Yogita Rajgandhi is a consulting permanently gone in his left eye,
optometrist – faculty and president survivors from India and around the Megan feels fortunate all the same
world to pursue the best possible
of VOSH (USA) India chapter. by catching the disease early enough
She presented the key points retinoblastoma care for all children to save at least some of his vision in
on Prevention of blindness, the and throughout life. Collaborative his left eye. Megan was motivated
magnitude of disabilities, Low vision research, clinical care and family to do something so that no child
classification, Management of Low support benefitting majority of should lose their sight needlessly.
Vision using lifestyle modifications, children and survivors can only She didn’t want another mother to
various forms of optical and be developed through inclusive carry that kind of guilt, simply by not
non-optical devices to improve meetings with a real-world focus. acting sooner because she didn’t
assessment of vision, rehabilitation Their mission is to spread know. With the help of her friends,
and care of vision in general. awareness that all children with Sandra Roderick and Lannette

Madhullata Umesh an retinoblastoma and survivors can Turricchi, Megan launched Know the
optometrist and ocularist, shared her have equal opportunity to access Glow, a national campaign in USA to
practical experience in dealing with optimal care. When diagnosed early communicate this simple message:
patients who required a prosthetic and treated effectively, childhood Check new photos of your child;
eye and spoke about working eye cancer is curable. No child because the glow may not always
with variety of eye conditions like should die or suffer avoidable show up, look back at family photos,
injuries, retinoblastoma and birth blindness because of it. There are especially where your child is looking
defects right from 6-month-old many challenges such as deeper at the camera; take photos where
child to 80-year-old patients across scientific research and the need to the flash is turned on and the red
ethnicities. develop evidence-based care, but eye reduction featured is turned off;
the campaign is about overcoming look for the glow, a white, opaque,
The webinar also covered these obstacles. or yellow spot in the pupil of one or
understanding the need to recognise both eyes. Ask an eye specialist—an
the white glow in the eyes using the Highlighting the importance optometrist or ophthalmologist—
personal life experiences of Abigail of early diagnosis of eye cancer, for a comprehensive eye exam,
Wagh and Benjamin. Ms Webber shared her personal including a red reflex test.
experience with her son Benjamin.
WHEN DIAGNOSED EARLY While looking at family photos, she The campaign works at
AND TREATED EFFECTIVELY, noticed Benjamin had a recurring spreading the word, especially to
CHILDHOOD EYE CANCER golden flash in his left eye. She parents of young children [ages
IS CURABLE. NO CHILD consulted an ophthalmologist who 0-5], about the importance of
SHOULD DIE OR SUFFER gave Benjamin an Optical Coherence comprehensive eye exams including
AVOIDABLE BLINDNESS Tomography scan, which showed a the red reflex test. When caught
BECAUSE OF IT large white mass in the pupil behind early, more than 80% of all childhood
the lens of his left eye—the culprit blindness is preventable.

| SEPT-OCT 2020 | 76 WEBINAR