City-based opthamologists said that white spots in the eyes of children are a warning sign of eye cancer. Doctors said that Retinoblastoma eye cancer is one of the most vision and life-threatening conditions that calls for awareness and action to support children affected by Retinoblastoma.
In this regard, cricketer and Head Coach of the National Cricket Academy, VVS Laxman, unveiled a T-shirt and medal for the fifth edition of the WHitathon Run 2023 organised by the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI).
Speaking on the occasion, Laxman said, “I personally believe that anything that we do, we must strive for excellence. I got involved with this and the only reason I continue to be with this is the passion of this team in spreading the awareness to all the parents that eye cancer can be cured. It is essential that taking action at an appropriate time is very important in addressing the issue of Retinoblastoma. “
The Whitathon Run is an annual cause-related running event to raise awareness and funds for children with Retinoblastoma eye cancer. The fifth edition of the run will take place on May 21 at the University of Hyderabad Campus. The run has four categories: 10k (Timed run), 5k (Timed run), 5k (Fun run), and 3k (Fun run).
Retinoblastoma eye cancer is most common in children below three years of age (90 per cent). 20 to 25 per cent of cases of eye cancer worldwide in children are from India, and 50 per cent of cases worldwide lose their lives due to late detection and inadequate treatment.
Experts at LVPEI said that to raise awareness among the public that if they spot a ‘white reflex’ in a child’s eye, it could be a sign of eye cancer that needs immediate medical intervention.
Dr Swathi Kaliki, Ocular Oncologist and Head of the Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer at LV Prasad Eye Institute, said, “It is important to raise awareness about the common symptoms of Retinoblastoma in children and educate the public.Retinoblastoma is curable if the tumour is detected and treated early, thus saving the vision of the child.”
Dr Swathi ended her speech with a catchy phrase, “When you see white, It is time to fight”.
