In a remarkable achievement, Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital has successfully treated 140 children suffering from eye cancer, granting them a new lease on life. This progress comes amid challenges of late diagnoses, which often complicate recovery efforts.
Doctors at the hospital have highlighted the significant issue of late presentation of eye cancer in children, which hinders timely treatment. Over the past three years, the hospital’s cancer unit has registered 620 patients and conducted 3,952 chemotherapy sessions. Many of these patients come from economically disadvantaged and rural areas, where a lack of awareness and financial difficulties cause treatment delays.
Pediatrician Dr. Tanzila Farah emphasized the importance of recognizing early signs today, such as an unusual white glow in the eyes in photographs or misalignment of the eyes. She urged parents to use mobile phone torches to detect these signs, especially in newborns and young children.
The hospital has collaborated with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and Combined Military Hospital to offer diagnostic tests and radiotherapy, providing free treatment to many deserving families. This collaboration has played a crucial role in alleviating the burden on financially vulnerable families, ensuring timely interventions that can save lives and sight.
Dr. Farah also highlighted the increased risk of eye diseases and cancer in children of closely related parents. Global statistics indicate that with early diagnosis and specialized treatment, the recovery rate for retinoblastoma in children in developed countries can exceed 99%. However, in less affluent areas, treatment delays can reduce this rate to around 50%.
According to Dr. Farah, the real threat lies in delaying treatment. Eye cancer in children is treatable, and early intervention is the key to preserving both sight and life.