Optometrists top urgent referrals of retinoblastoma
Annual figures released by the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) for World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week 2026 reveal the key role optometrists can play in the early diagnosis of the rare eye cancer retinoblastoma (Rb).
Around one child a week in the UK is diagnosed with the condition, which mainly occurs in babies and young children up to the age in six.
In 2025, 81% of optometrists who examined a child with retinoblastoma made the appropriate urgent referral*: more than any other healthcare profession and a significant increase on the 10-year average figure for urgent referrals by optometrists, which was 67%**. This makes them a vital source of help for parents concerned about their child’s eyes.
The main symptoms reported by parents of children diagnosed with retinoblastoma are**:
- Leukocoria seen in photos or in the eye itself – 82%
- New onset strabismus – 32%
- Change in colour of iris (coloured part of eye) – 7%
- Loss of vision – 7%
- Roaming eyes / child not focusing – 8%
- Redness or swelling without infection – 6%
- Absence of red eye in a photo – 1%
Richard Ashton, Chief Executive of CHECT said: “Firstly, I want to thank all those optometrists who made urgent referrals for children with signs of retinoblastoma last year. This year’s figures highlight the crucial role played by high street optometrists in the early diagnosis of retinoblastoma. With appropriate referrals affected children can be seen quickly at one of the two specialist retinoblastoma centres in the UK. This means treatment can start as soon as possible, giving the child the best prognosis possible.”
World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week: What can optometrists do?
- Run through the Referral Protocol for Suspected Retinoblastoma at your next team meeting to ensure that everyone in store knows what to do if a parent contacts the practice mentioning any of the signs of Rb https://chect.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Optician-leaflet.pdf
- Contact us on info@chect.org.uk for Rb signs and symptoms leaflets for your reception area.
- Get involved in raising awareness by utilising our social media awareness assets or like and share our posts, photos and videos during World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week.
