The most common and easily recognized early sign of childhood eye cancer, retinoblastoma, is a white glow in the affected eye, like a cat’s eye caught in headlights at night.
“Leukocoria” is the medical term for this white eye reflex. The glow is usually only seen in dim light, or in photographs where a flash has been used without red-eye reduction.
This section answers the most frequently asked questions about leukocoria, and offers advice and information for concerned parents or friends.
- Fundal Reflex – What causes “red eye”?
- What causes “white eye”?
- Photo Challenge – can you tell which child has retinoblastoma?
- What should I know about white pupil and retinoblastoma?
- What should I know about white pupil AFTER retinoblastoma diagnosis?
- What should I know about white pupil in adults?
- How do I take photos to check for white pupil?
- I’ve seen a white pupil – what to do now?
- What should I expect at the eye exam?
- Sign our PhotoRED Petition
From Our Blog
If In Doubt, Check It Out: Common and Not-So-Common Signs and Symptoms of Retinoblastoma
When ‘Something’ Looks the Same As ‘Nothing’: Strabismus, Leukocoria and Childhood Eye Cancer
Eye of the Storm: the impact of ‘not knowing’ on mental health
How Do We Achieve Early Diagnosis of Retinoblastoma?
Retinoblastoma awareness is the vital first step to cure! Early diagnosis leads to better outcomes for children, with less intense treatment. Sessions at every One Rb World explore how we can best raise parent, public and medical community awareness of common first signs, and develop effective screening for early detection. Here, we share sessions from the 2017, 2020, and 2021 meetings.
Join Us at One Rb World 2024 in Hawaii
Retinoblastoma awareness and early detection is a global challenge. There is no single solution to diagnose children early, but as recent One Rb World meetings show, many opportunities exist to improve early diagnosis in all regions of the world.
National and global collaboration between retinoblastoma specialists, researchers, parents, survivors, and other advocates can dramatically improve care and cure for each child with eye cancer.
If you would like to join this global community sharing knowledge and experience, learning from one another, and exploring priority subjects together, we welcome you to the 7th One Rb World meeting, October 15-17 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The meeting will be held just before the International Society of Paediatric Oncology World Congress which takes place 17-20 October, 2024 at the Honolulu Convention Centre.
One Rb World is community, conversation, and cooperation. An inclusive global collaboration for optimal lifelong care. Children are welcome too – One Rb World is proud to offer a full child life program for Rb patients, young survivors, siblings, and children of adult survivors!