Narayana Nethralaya has taken up the task of creating awareness on eye cancer and retinoblastoma and offer the latest and advanced surgical techniques to treat retinoblastoma at concessional rates for the economically backward and totally free of cost to those patients who cannot afford the treatment cost at all.
“Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy of childhood. About four percent of all childhood cancer is retinoblastoma. When the disease is diagnosed in its early intraocular stages, , the probability of disease-free survival has been greater than 80–90 per cent. Till a century ago retinoblastoma was uniformly a fatal disease. Advances in surgical techniques focal therapy with laser and cryotherapy, and chemotherapy, has improved the survival rate and preservation of vision”, said Dr. Roshmi Gupta, head, ocular oncology, Orbital Disease and Oculoplasty.
On the occasion of the International Childhood Cancer Day observed on February 15 annually the eye care major has a set up a dedicated retinoblastoma helpline which not only creates awareness on retinoblastoma but also counsels and guides the families on the same.
According to the eye care major, retinoblastoma outcomes remains uniformly poor unless diagnosed at an early stage. The advent of chemo reduction and external beam radiotherapy, in addition to focal treatments like direct photocoagulation, cryotherapy and trans pupillary thermo therapy, the survival rates have improved considerably even at advanced stages. Early detection of abnormalities offers prompt management and a reduction in visual morbidity.
Narayana Nethralaya has seen around 25 cases last year. The trend is increasing and more patients are getting to know about the facilities being provided. On an average, there are 2 cases of retinoblastoma every month which is being treated successfully.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K. Bhujang Shetty, chairman and managing director of Narayana Nethralaya said, we have treated 129 patients till date for Retinoblastoma and our success rates have been > 90 per cent. We are proud to say that 86 among the 129 patients have been treated free of cost. All thanks to the advanced technology and state of art facilities in Eye Care and Experts from our Hospital. We have been able to deal with these issues very efficiently as over 90 per cent of cases are from the rural areas.