Florida

Board

of

Optometry

Retinoblastoma is a life threatening rare type of cancer, usually caused by a defective gene found in children between the ages of 2 and 6. Early detection and treatment is critical to children effected by this cancer in terms of both maximizing the best outcome for the child and screening other members of the child’s family. As a matter of fact, if
retinoblastoma is diagnosed and treated early, more than 9 out of 10 children can be cured. During a child’s annual physical exam, doctors and nurses routinely screen children’s eyes in terms of how the eyes may look, how the eyes move, and for changes in the child’s vision. It is recommended that a dilated eye exam be performed in these formative years. During a dilated, comprehensive eye exam, a detailed analysis of the child’s eye health and visual function are performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to rule out any indications of retinoblastoma. Let’s work together to save our children’s eyesight and possibly their lives.