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Despite global treatment outcomes for retinoblastoma over the past four decades, there are still widening disparities in overall survival and outcomes. Two recent studies have demonstrated the significance of these disparities, as well as some of the associated factors.
Retinoblastoma is an aggressive eye cancer of infancy and childhood, and the most common cause of death from eye cancer worldwide. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can save a child’s life and the eye globe.
Research, led by the International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH) at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), found stark differences in survival for children with retinoblastoma, between high-income and low-income countries. In high-income countries, retinoblastoma is considered a curable disease, and nearly 100% of children survive. But in low-income countries, just over 50% of children with retinoblastoma remain alive 3 years after diagnosis.[1]
A second study funded by the Hong Kong Health and Medical Research Fund and the Children Cancer’s Foundation (Hong Kong) looked at trends in global retinoblastoma survival and globe preservation over the past 40 years. The factors associated with higher survival were education level of the population, the percentage of the population living in rural areas, government investment in health care, and disparity in wealth distribution (i.e. Gini index).[2] The factors associated with overall globe salvage rate were cataract surgery rate, eye care worker density, education and poverty gaps.
A new dashboard displays modelled survival statistics and allows users to compare selected countries. https://cuhkdovs.shinyapps.io/RB_Data_Studio/
These studies demonstrate the great need to advocate for access to quality eye care services. Many of those challenges can be addressed by implementing the World Health Assembly resolution 73.4 on Integrated People-centred Eye Care, which urges member states to make eye care an integral part of Universal Health Coverage.
1 Global Retinoblastoma Study Group. The Global Retinoblastoma Outcome Study: a prospective, cluster-based analysis of 4064 patients from 149 countries. Articles Lancet Glob Health 2022;10:1128–68. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00250-9
2 Wong ES, Choy RW, Zhang Y, et al. Global retinoblastoma survival and globe preservation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of associations with socioeconomic and health-care factors. Lancet Glob Health 2022;10:e380–9. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00555-6
Image on top: Retinoblastoma patient, Ruharo Eye Centre, Mbarara, Uganda by Terry Cooper
Prevent Blindness is declaring February as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Month in an effort to provide education and various expert-approved resources to the public and professionals. This year’s AMD and Low Vision Month is generously supported by Gold Sponsor EyePoint, Inc.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, AMD is the most common cause of severe loss of eyesight among people 50 and older. And, about 4 million Americans live with low vision, which is defined as chronic visual impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or medical treatments.
AMD affects the central part of the retina called the “macula.” When AMD damages the macula, the center part of a person’s vision may become blurred or wavy, and a blind spot may develop. Early detection and treatment of AMD is key to helping to prevent significant vision loss.
Two types of AMD include:
“As our population ages, the number of individuals impacted by AMD continues to grow. Many will face difficulties doing the things we sometimes take for granted, such as reading, seeing faces, and driving,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Our robust collection of resources on AMD and low vision are intentionally created to help minimize vision loss and maintain independence for those impacted by AMD while providing effective tools to the public and providers on ways to save sight.”
As part of AMD and Low Vision Month, Prevent Blindness offers the free AMD GuideMe app. This resource provides a customized overview of AMD along with a tailored resource list and suggested steps to help save sight from the eye disease specific to the individual using the GuideMe app. Prevent Blindness offers additional educational resources including fact sheets and shareable social media graphics in English and Spanish, and dedicated webpages.
New this year, as part of the Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Member Spotlight Series, graduate Laurie S., shares her experience with AMD, including her family history with the eye disease, how it impacts her daily activities including the ability to read music, and the importance of support groups “Age-related Macular Degeneration: Laurie’s Story.”
Videos in the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Series include:
The Prevent Blindness “Living Well With Low Vision” program provides useful information to those with low vision, their care partners and healthcare professionals. Content includes self-help guides, resources for vision loss and mental wellness, information on clinical trials, and much more. Living Well With Low Vision is supported by grants from Amgen and Genentech.
For more information on AMD, please visit PreventBlindness.org/amd. For information on geographic atrophy, please visit PreventBlindness.org/geographic-atrophy.
And, for more information on Living Well With Low Vision, or other general eye health information, please visit lowvision.PreventBlindness.org.
For a listing of organizations and services that provide financial assistance for vision care in English or Spanish, please visit https://preventblindness.org/vision-care-financial-assistance-information.
