Retinoblastoma in Nepal: a clinical profile of 30 cases.

To determine the clinical profile of retinoblastoma and to provide baseline data for further studies on this subject. Prospective evaluation of 30 consecutive patients with retinoblastoma admitted at the B. P. Koirala Lions Center for Ophthalmic Studies, Kathmandu, Nepal, between October 1998 and July 2000 was carried out. Age, sex, laterality and time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis (lag time) were noted. Ancillary tests were undertaken to rule out metastasis. Male to female ratio was 1.1:1 and the median age of presentation was 3.1 years. Of 30 cases, 23 (76.6%) had unilateral involvement. Leukocoria was the presenting sign in 13 cases (43.3%) and fungating mass in 10 cases (33.3%). In 11 (36.7%), the latency period from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 6-12 months. In bilateral cases, advanced disease was treated surgically and the fellow eye was treated with cryotherapy, photocoagulation and chemotherapy. Histopathological examination of 21 (70.0%) enucleated/exenterated cases revealed a poorly differentiated type of retinoblastoma. This is the first study of retinoblastoma from Nepal. Early diagnosis of this disease when it is localized to the eye is important to salvage the life of the child. An informational program directed toward the public in general, as well as careful screening of any white pupillary reflex by the pediatrician and/or primary health worker will encourage and support early diagnosis.

Profile of blindness in Nepal: a hospital based study.

A hospital based prospective study was conducted at B P Koirala Lions Center for Ophthalmic Studies to determine the causes of blindness. A total of 701 patients were enrolled for this study during a one and a half year time period. Four main diseases in the order of prevalence--cataract, corneal diseases, trauma and posterior segment diseases--were identified as the major causes of blindness. The prevalence of blindness increased with age and showed a male preponderance. Cataract and corneal diseases were the leading causes of bilateral blindness and unilateral blindness respectively.