Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to ask if this woman knows she has Leukocoria (white eye reflection)

58 replies

stardustoddity · 05/01/2014 15:46

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukocoria

She's a neighbour I met for the first time yesterday. I thought it was unusual when I met her yesterday, and she asked us over for coffee this morning - I noticed it again. Basically with - I think - both her eyes you get a white reflection back from the back of they eye - sort of like redeye in a photo - but white. It wasn't cataracts as it wasn't milky or at the front. Perhaps one of you knows more about this than me, but I am guessing she and her family all know about it.

The only thing is I have read of people having this noticed by other people (from a photo in one case) - and it's an indicator of an eye cancer (retinoblastoma).

is it something that people just 'have'??

OP posts:
TheDinnerWitch · 05/01/2014 22:52

Since I've had laser eye surgery I always have this 'eye reflection' now. It's a fairly common side effect.

deste · 05/01/2014 23:05

A friend of mine posted photos of her grandson on Facebook and every photo of him had that white spot in his left eye. Not sure if I should mention it.

Littlegreyauditor · 05/01/2014 23:16

If it is a baby deste you should definitely mention it and she should definitely get it checked.

Retinoblastoma is almost universally something which affects very young children, usually under 3's. It may be nothing, but if it is something it needs action, now. I cannot emphasise that enough. Getting it checked could save the child's life.

As for an adult OP, you cannot see the red reflex, and by extension the retina, with the naked eye so leukocoria is usually only visible in photographs, because of the flash, and by specialised equipment which any optometrist will have. If the whiteness is visible with the naked eye it is more likely to be in the anterior eye. Still worth getting checked though. Better safe than sorry.

happynewday · 06/01/2014 00:00

PrimalLass Yes we are. We're seen in Birmingham Children's Hospital. Wishing you a future of happy and healthy DC Smile

deste You must absolutely say something to your friend. The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust Webpage. Very informative

giraffesCantSledge · 06/01/2014 03:53

Absolutely mention it to your friend. Deste

Defnotsupergirl · 06/01/2014 07:01

I'd be very thankful if someone mentioned a potential problem to me.

Original poster
stardustoddity · 06/01/2014 10:35

Oh Deste I think its really worth you mentioning it to your friend.

littlegreyauditor how interesting. On the Wikipedia page it says that you can see it in low light in certain circumstances. We were in a house indoors in the morning - so daylight from winter sun but at an unusual angle at this time of year I guess...

I know they are away now so I won't see them for a bit anyway.

OP posts:
frumpypigskin · 06/01/2014 13:17

My mum has had laser eye surgery and has this. I think it is fairly common.

deste · 07/01/2014 10:10

I will see her today. He is round about three years old.

Original poster
stardustoddity · 07/01/2014 10:15

Oh let us know what happens

OP posts:
deste · 07/01/2014 21:15

I mentioned it to her and she was saying that he didn't have a white spot etc etc. a friend who is a an optician came over and I asked her what she would do and she told her to get it checked out. I will see her again tomorrow so we will see what happens.

deste · 08/01/2014 17:46

Friend just messages me to say they have an urgent appointment at the hospital tomorrow. The grandson woke up a couple of weeks ago and told his mum he couldn't see. She thought he was being grumpy. She mentioned the white spot to her parents a couple of months ago and they told her it was nothing.

DeWe · 08/01/2014 18:00

deste Sad Hope the check up shows it's clear.

Littlegreyauditor · 08/01/2014 18:24

Thank you deste for telling them. Seriously, thank you.

giraffesCantMakeResolutions · 08/01/2014 19:28

Well done for telling. A family friend (I used to be their nanny) was diagnosed last year. Do let us know. X

deste · 08/01/2014 19:32

Sorry got a bit mixed up, they have an appointment at the optician with the guy who also works at the hospital tomorrow and he will let them know if he has to go to the hospital.

Original poster
stardustoddity · 08/01/2014 19:35

Oh so glad you said something! keep us posted

OP posts:
squoosh · 08/01/2014 20:41

Well done deste, just shows you, being polite and not saying anything for fear of causing offence isn't always the best way forward.

PrimalLass · 08/01/2014 23:24

Oh well done. That's good news.

My DS had a white spot photo in the middle of all his investigations, at 2, so it was panic stations. All was fine, thankfully. And we were in the system already so he was examined under GA within a few days.

But that was when it was only 'maybe' a higher risk. Since then both kids have been DNA tested and have a confirmed RB1 gene problem. We have to be vigilant for the rest of their lives re quite a few other cancers.

deste · 09/01/2014 21:19

They went to the optician this morning and told they couldn't really say but there was something abnormal behind his eye. He has been referred to the hospital. They are taking it seriously now and are worried sick. I think they have looked it up on the Internet.

giraffesCantMakeResolutions · 09/01/2014 21:43

Bloody hell. Am so glad you told them. If caught early enough it can be "easy" to treat with either removal of tumour and chemo or removal of the whole eye. Which sounds awful...but compared to some cancer treatments that is a walk in the park.

Fingers crossed that if it is retinoblastoma it hasn't spread any further.

Thinking of you - and your friends.

Original poster
stardustoddity · 09/01/2014 23:28

Oh thinking of you and your friends Deste

Quite glad I posted but really hoping it all turns out to be nothing

OP posts:
GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 09/01/2014 23:37

Deste - You've done a really good. Even if the parents are naturally worried now I'm sure they will be so appreciative of what you did Thanks

minouminou · 09/01/2014 23:43

Wow, deste - do keep us posted, and good for you for speaking up. You've possibly saved a life, there.

iamonthepursuitofhappiness · 09/01/2014 23:43

My daughter has it and she has a toxoplasmosis scar on her retina. You could ask her if she knows, I am sure you would phrase it carefully out of concern. I would rather someone asked me about my DD than did not say something, I did not know and she did have a medical condition that needed treatment. Some people do not notice conditions that gradually develop.