World Rb Awareness Week
A selection of campaign images are available to help promote the awareness week
Annual figures released by the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) for World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week 2026 (10-16 May) reveal the key role optometrists can play in the early diagnosis of the rare eye cancer retinoblastoma (Rb).
According to the charity, 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 per cent of optometrists who examined a child with Rb 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 of 67 per cent – said CHECT.
The main symptoms reported by parents of children diagnosed with retinoblastoma are:
- Leukocoria seen in photos or in the eye itself: 82 per cent
- New onset strabismus: 32 per cent
- Change in colour of iris (coloured part of eye): seven per cent
- Loss of vision: seven per cent
- Roaming eyes/child not focusing: eight per cent
- Redness or swelling without infection: six per cent
- Absence of red eye in a photo: one per cent
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 eyecare practices can do
- Run through the Referral Protocol for Suspected Retinoblastoma with practice staff to ensure that everyone knows what to do if a parent contacts the practice mentioning any of the signs of Rb
- Email CHECT on info@chect.org.uk for Rb signs and symptoms leaflets for the practice reception area
- Get involved in raising awareness by utilising CHECT’s social media awareness assets or like and share the charity’s posts, photos and videos during World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week