Retinoblastoma: How Advancements in Neurology and Neuroscience Can Help

In the UK, it affects between 40-50 children every year [3] and occurs because of errors or mutations to a gene we all possess called the RB1 gene [2]. Five-year survivorship in developed countries averages at 95 per cent compared to 50 per cent worldwide [4,5] and 100 per cent in the UK for the period 20062010 [2]. Delay in diagnosis and access to qualified professionals and resources are the most common explanations for these differences [6].

Survivorship is much better for unilateral compared with bilateral and trilateral retinoblastoma but the early signs are important to detect and photography can assist in identifying no return of "red-eye" during flash photography or a distinctive white or yellow appearance of the tumour (Figure 2) [2].
In the UK, it affects between 40-50 children every year [3] and occurs because of errors or mutations to a gene we all possess called the RB1 gene [2]. Five-year survivorship in developed countries averages at 95 per cent compared to 50 per cent worldwide [4,5] and 100 per cent in the UK for the period 2006-2010 [2]. Delay in diagnosis and access to qualified professionals and resources are the most common explanations for these differences [6].
Tragically, it is common for children diagnosed with unilateral retinoblastoma to lose one eye due to the progress of the tumour resulting in enucleation and replacement by an artificial eye (Figure 3). They are often of higher than average intelligence possibly due to their early awareness of mortality and inner strength [7]. The manufacture of artificial eyes has advanced considerably with the preferred material in the UK being polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) which is a rigid plastic that is shatterproof and may be matched to the colour of the iris and covered in a clear coating like the stroma of the cornea.

Retinoblastoma: How Advancements in
Often they are hand-painted by a trained occularist. The eye stays in place by the muscles of the upper and lower eyelids but is easily removed for cleaning and regular replacement as the child grows. The fitting procedure is often trial-and-error and dependent upon the skill of the prosthetist, taking an impression of the eye implant with a material similar to dental putty and creating a wax moulding before PMMA manufacture.
Neurological knowledge of the eye and advancement in neuroscience and physics technology provides potential for developing improved fitting procedures. For example, computerassisted LED (Light Emitting Diode) or laser scanning of the implant is possible to collect accurate data about the contours of the implant to inform manufacture of the artificial eye and to ensure better comfort and fitting of the prosthetic.

JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE ISSN 2171-6625
This article is available in: www.jneuro.com is exploring improved techniques towards more accurate production and fitting of the artificial eye using a soft bonded interface at the back of the prosthetic that provides increased comfort for the wearer and still allows the important growth and stretching of the eyelids in young children.
Informed by the UK's National Artificial Eye Service and a track record of research in prostheses and cancer [8,9], it is hoped that  progress can be made in this field of neurology after decades of exploration by scientists across the world from technology, chemistry, and neurology backgrounds, in search of the ultimate comfortable prosthetic eye.
If this provides our very courageous young children who have this disease with a brighter and more normal prospect in life, then this pursuit is wholly worthwhile.