Abstract

Purpose- Outcome of training and awareness session of vision technicians (VTs) and community eye health care workers (CHW) for screening, early detection and referral of retinoblastoma in community.
Design- Retrospective, observational study, study period:1-05-2021 to 31-12-2022.
Methods-In this study, we have conducted training and awareness session about retinoblastoma disease (including power point presentation, posters, torch light/ Arc light use to detect abnormal red reflex, referral pathways) for VTs and CHWs posted at vision Centres and involved in door-to-door paediatric screening. 24 hour Retinoblastoma helpline number was shared. Screening and referral data of all the children including retinoblastoma suspects were analysed. Results- 16,500 under 5 children were screened and 529 were referred for various diseases which included 12 retinoblastoma patients. Conclusion-Trained VTs and CHWs can be used as a bridge for the screening of retinoblastoma in the community.