Retinoblastoma

[Loolah24]

Hi I'm not sure if I am writing this is the right place or if anyone can help. I've just had a picture of my daughter emailed to me coz she is concerned about the presence of red eye in only one eye. I've stupidly been scouring the Internet and have freaked myself out about eh above condition. Does anyone know if it possible to have one red eye and that is not a cause for concern? I have the photo if anyone thinks looking at it might help?
Thanks in advance .

Hi,

I work in an eye clinic.

Dont panic!!!!!! Retinoblastoma is very rare

It can just be something simple like the direction she is looking has made one eye pick up the flash more. Could be a squint.

What age is your little one? If she is over 3 take her to any high street optician and they will be able to put your mind at ease. Younger than that show the picture to your HV and she may decide to refer to the eye clinic just to be on the safe side.

I had lots of my photos like this of my ds. I was worried and took him to optician and then referred to eye hospital. Wasn't retinoblastoma but he does need glasses so really good I picked it up. RB very rare. He's 4.

Thanks so much for your replies. I feel sick with fear. She is 4, but will be 5 in August.
If I take her to the GP first thing will they be able to test there? Thanks so much!

Here is a link to the picture also s1075.photobucket.com/albums/w428/loolah24/?action=view&current=image.jpg

s1075.photobucket.com/albums/w428/loolah24/?action=view&current=image.jpg

loolah sorry that you are worried about this. I would honestly take her to an optician, they are used to looking to the back of the eye and would be able to see what is 'normal' and what is not - as weasle pointed out it could be something else that needs attention.

Over 10 yrs ago my then 7 yo had been poorly for quite a while and I had gone back and to to the GP's and even when he had a fall at school and bumped his head and was vomiting I was sent away again with no proper checks. When I noticed his eye was crossing I took him to optician who immediately noticed something was up and sent us straight to A & E with a note. The next morning a scan picked up a brain tumour - these are also incredibly rare. I am not telling you this as I think this may be your DD's problem, but because I believe you will get a really good level of detailed care from an optician.

Good luck x

An optician is better than a GP for this, as they will be able to check for acuity problems or slight squint, and will be doing more fundoscopy than GPs.

Thanks for all your help. Took her to the optician this afternoon and got the all clear! What a relief. Thanks again x

I saw a photo of my son with one white eye and panicked. I took him to the gp who cheeked his red reflex and all looked fine. I quite often take photos if him now with the red eye filter off to get a photo with two red eyes!

Great news Loolah

Happened to us too - photo with one red, one white. I'd seen previous press alerts on it so went into flat spin panic mode.

Within 2 hours I'd found an optician with a free appointment and with special child test equipment and we were walking in the door. Half an hour later I was breathing again, and also found he doesn't need specs. For a notoriously short-sighted family, to find he was just slightly long-sighted was brilliant.

So pleased you have the all clear

For anyone else coming across this thread who wants more information please see here for more information on retinoblastoma