How Family Snapshots Can Save Lives: Eye Cancer In Pictures

What would you do if you took a picture of your child, only to notice that that annoying "red eye" wasn't present? As one mother found out, this unusual symptom can be the sign of a rare and deadly form of eye cancer. Thankfully, her vigilance and pro-activity saved her son's life.

"Probably a couple [of] months [ago] I would notice when I was looking at Avery in a light, I would see something in the back of his eye," parent Julie Fitzgerald told CNN. Worried that something may be seriously wrong with her son, Julie did what most modern parents would probably do — she took to the internet. She found articles describing people whose photographs would show up with "white eye" instead of that notorious red eye, and discovered that this could be a sign of eye cancer. 

Next followed a roller coaster of medical intervention. Specialists soon discovered that 75 percent of two-year old Avery's left eye was consumed by tumors called retinoblastomas, and also that this rapidly-growing cancer had probably only started developing six weeks prior. The story quickly went viral, and with good reason: it illustrates how two of the things we probably all do can save our kids' lives. Taking family photos and browsing the web for medical information aren't useless pastimes, this story reveals. 

What Are Retinoblastomas?

Retinoblastoma is a very rare form of eye cancer, but the most common one in children. This form of cancer makes up three percent of all cancer cases diagnosed in children under the age of 15. Two-thirds of all cases are diagnosed in children under two years old, and 95 percent in kids below the age of five. As the name suggests, retinoblastoma begins in the retina, the part of the eye that senses light and sends information to the brain through the optic nerve. As it progresses, retinoblastoma can move to the ocular coats and optic nerve, and even to the choroid. Once there, it can invade the brain and the rest of the patient's body. 

Acting fast is the key to successful treatment — Avery's left eye was completely removed, though doctors said the boy had probably been blind since birth. He'll eventually be given a prosthetic eye and medical testing to assess his risk of other cancers is still ongoing. This terrifying story has a happy ending for now because his mom Julie spotted the signs early on. So what exactly are the symptoms of retinoblastoma, and what action can you take to keep an eye out for this rare cancer in your own children?

Retinoblastoma: Signs And Symptoms

Retinoblastoma can occur in one or both eyes, but bilateral retinoblastoma is usually diagnosed before a child reaches their first birthday. 

The signs are the same regardless of whether it affects one or both eyes:

• Leukoria: That white spot that Julie, Avery's mother, spotted, is present in the majority of cases of retinoblastoma. While leukoria can also be a signn of numerous other medical conditions including Coats disease, melanoma, corneal scarring and congenital cataracts, parents who spot white reflections in their children's eyes should always take this very seriously and seek medical help immediately.
• Strabismus, more commonly known as being "crossed-eyed" or "wall-eyed", is a situation in which both eyes can't focus on the same point. Instead of the eyes being aligned to focus on one thing, one or both eyes can look up, down, left, or right. Strabismus is the second most common sign of retinoblastoma.
• More advance retinoblastoma can lead to pain, glaucoma, or buphthalmos (an enlargement of the eyeball).
• In even more advanced retinoblastoma, mestases can occur. 

Julie told the press that she noticed a weird reflection in her son's eye even before she took the picture that ultimately led to his diagnosis. It is important to note that these changes cannot always be seen with the naked eye. Back in 2010, another report of a mother who spotted "white eye" in her son's photograph appeared in the press. Jacob was nine months when his mother Samantha Rouse, an auxiliary nurse, noticed this tell-tale sign. Samantha, from the UK, told the press that medical staff weren't as quick to take this case seriously: "He was just a normal happy baby. It was only when I got some photos developed that I noticed Jacob's eye was white. Nobody believed there was anything wrong, even my GP told me it was just the  flash and he was reluctant to refer us." This is why being aware of the possibility of retinoblastoma is so important. 

READ Warning Signs Your Child Needs Glasses (And Why Your Child Needs An Eye Test Even Without Them)

Retinoblastoma: Diagnosis

Retinoblastoma can be diagnosed through a thorough eye exam under general anesthesia with maximally dilated pupils, and MRI and CT scans may follow. Though rare, this condition — along with a wide range of other ocular health issues — represents a very good reason for parents to get their children's eyes checked at an early age. Pediatricians typically carry out routine eye exams, and though these may well find retinoblastoma, making an appointment with a qualified ophtalmologist is a good idea for every parent. These eye exams do not just test for vision, but also serve to find more serious problems such as retinoblastoma. As Avery's case demonstrates, paying close attention to your child's body including their eyes also plays a very important role. Being proactive and not dismissing unusual signs and symptoms can indeed save lives.