For clinicians
Referring new patients
All referrals should be made to either Mr Mandeep Sagoo or Mr M Ashwin Reddy at;
The Retinoblastoma Service
Barts and The London NHS Trust
Cancer CAU, Regional Service Division
The Royal London Hospital
Whitechapel
London E1 1BB
Tel: 020 3594 1419
Fax: 020 3594 3262
Assessing the red reflex
The earliest method of detection of retinoblastoma is by red reflex assessment. To assist GPs and health visitors with this assessment we, along with The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust, have developed this guide.
Method
Sit in front of the child and parent at about arm’s length. Set the ophthalmoscope to around +2 (green or black) and focus on the parent’s eyes to show that the test
is non-invasive and recognition of the normal red reflex in that particular ethnic group. Then focus on the child’s face and encourage the child to look at the light. Focus on the red reflex within the pupil.
Outcomes
Please show these images to parents as they may have taken photographs demonstrating usual red reflexes.
Normal red reflex = no referral
Normal red reflex
Red reflex absent
Obvious +/-asymmetry = urgent referral
Unsure/difficult assessment = Paediatric Ophthalmology Primary Care Clinic referral
Red reflex abnormal
Red reflex abnormal ="urgent" referral Red reflex abnormal
Download the Red reflex poster
The attached poster has been produced by Barts and The London NHS Trust with assistance from the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust is a registered UK charitable organisation dedicated to support families with retinoblastoma.
Click here for more information on the Genetic screening service for retinoblastoma.
