EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF RETINOBLASTOMA IN CHILDREN: MODERN CHALLENGES AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Abstract
Retinoblastoma is a rare but highly aggressive intraocular malignancy that mainly affects infants and young children. Early diagnosis is extremely important because delayed recognition may lead to irreversible vision loss, orbital invasion, metastatic spread, and increased mortality. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical importance of early retinoblastoma detection and analyze modern diagnostic approaches used in pediatric ophthalmology. The study focused on the most common early manifestations of the disease, including leukocoria, strabismus, and visual disturbances, which are often the first symptoms noticed by parents. Modern diagnostic techniques such as indirect ophthalmoscopy, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed for their effectiveness in detecting retinal tumors and determining disease severity. The findings demonstrated that children diagnosed during early intraocular stages had significantly better survival rates, greater chances of globe preservation, and improved visual outcomes compared with patients diagnosed during advanced stages. The analysis also showed that delayed diagnosis remains more common in low-resource healthcare systems due to insufficient awareness, limited access to pediatric ophthalmologic services, and delayed referral pathways. Overall, the study confirms that strengthening early screening programs and improving awareness among parents and healthcare providers are essential for reducing morbidity and mortality associated with retinoblastoma.