Retinoblastoma
What is retinoblastoma?
Retinoblastoma is a life threatening eye Cancer that affects children. The Cancer grows from the retina, which is a sensory layer located inside the eye. As the Cancer progresses, it may be observed by the parents as a white mass within the eye. Eventually, the eye becomes painful, red and swollen. Once the Cancer spreads outside the eye it becomes a threat to life, when it spreads to the brain and other parts of the body.
If detected early, this is the most treatable form of cancer.
Retinoblastoma in India
The knowledge about Retinoblastoma with the general population is very low. We have come across cases where, the child gets the right medical attention late because of lack of awareness even amongst practitioners. In India, everyday four children are born with eye cancer, one in four will die.
Know The Glow
We are thrilled to announce an exciting new collaboration between Iksha Foundation and Know The Glow, an organization driving global change in over 15 countries by raising awareness about preventable childhood blindness.
This powerful partnership will focus on spreading crucial awareness about Retinoblastoma and Leukocoria—two key causes of early childhood blindness. Together, we will deliver targeted, multilingual messaging in Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, Bengali, Odia, Marathi, Assamese, Telugu, Hindi, and English. This comprehensive campaign will run from November 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, strategically aligning with the ISOO 2024 Conference in Goa, India.
To ensure that our message reaches as many communities as possible, each week of the campaign will highlight a different language and region, promoting wide-reaching, inclusive outreach. Through focused digital and social media campaigns, we will amplify our efforts, making an even greater impact in the fight against preventable childhood blindness.
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to safeguard children's vision across India. Together, we are committed to saving sight and brightening futures.
How does Iksha Foundation help?
Support for treatment of the cancer
Iksha foundation is a public charitable trust focussing on Retinoblastoma (eye Cancer) - our objective is to create awareness, to provide aid for its treatment to underprivileged children and to support research to improve care of children with Retinoblastoma.
We at Iksha believe that no child should ever lose eyesight or face death to this type of childhood cancer which has one of the best cure rates. No family should have to go through the unspeakable pain of losing a child. We currently support children who have been diagnosed with Retinoblastoma and are being treated at several hospitals in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune.
On-going care and treatment
In addition to supporting with the treatment costs, Iksha Foundation also supports with other expenses incurred for education, custom ocular prosthetics for children who have lost an eye to the cancer, visual aids for children who have diminished sight because of the cancer to ensure the child becomes a self-reliant member of the society.
Signs of Retinoblastoma
White Reflex
The center part of the eyeball (pupil), which is normally black in color appear white, especially when a light shines on the eye in a dim room.
Advanced Retinoblastoma sign
A red, painful or swollen eye or even shrunken eye – which could be hiding a cancer inside.
Squint Eyes
Also known as cross-eyes
Bleeding in the eye
This is a rare sign
Decreased Vision
This is a rare sign