Parental concern over eye health has decreased during pandemic

Just 41% of parents of children aged 0-6 say their child’s eye health is a concern, compared to 59% in 2019.

The survey* was carried out for Rare Disease Day 2021 on behalf of UK charity the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT), which supports families of babies and children diagnosed with retinoblastoma (Rb).

Parental concern over eye health is currently at the lowest point since the survey began in 2014.

Additionally, those who had taken their child to an optician for an eye check had fallen to 28%. In 2019 the figure was 37%.

Patrick Tonks, Chief Executive of the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust, said: “Understandably, the health landscape of the past two years has been dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as restrictions continue to ease, it is vital that parents are encouraged to resume routine eye checks for their children, and to seek an urgent examination with their optician or GP if they notice anything unusual in their child’s eyes. Retinoblastoma is rare, but one child a week is diagnosed in the UK. It is imperative that those children are seen and referred on as soon as possible. Around 98% of children diagnosed with Rb will survive, but more than half will lose an eye in order to save their life, so urgent referral and early diagnosis is vital to save a child’s sight, eyes and life.”

The main presenting symptoms of children diagnosed with Rb in the UK between 2012 and 2020**, were: