If your child has been told they have a retinal problem, you probably have a lot of questions and not much time to read. This page is written for you — in plain language, by paediatric retina doctors.
APPREA's council includes senior paediatric retina doctors in most countries across the region. Use our country-by-country pointer to find a centre near you.
The retina is a thin sheet of light-sensing tissue lining the inside of the eye, like wallpaper inside a ball. It catches light from whatever your child is looking at and turns it into signals that travel up the optic nerve to the brain. If parts of the retina don't develop properly, get pulled out of place ("detached"), or are damaged by disease, vision is reduced or lost. Many of these problems are treatable — especially when caught early.
A condition that affects babies born early or very small. The blood vessels of the retina haven't finished growing at birth, and in some babies they grow abnormally — which can pull on the retina and damage vision.
Key points: ROP is screened for in neonatal units. Most babies don't need treatment. The babies who do need treatment usually get either laser, an injection of medication into the eye, or both — done quickly when the threshold is reached. Outcomes are best when screening and treatment happen on time.
A rare cancer of the retina, most often in children under five. The most common first sign is a white reflection in the pupil in flash photographs, or an eye that turns. It is serious — but with timely treatment, the great majority of children are cured, and in many cases the eye and useful vision can be saved.
Key points: Treatment is a team effort between paediatric oncology and a retina specialist. Options include chemotherapy delivered into the eye, laser, freezing treatment, or — when the eye cannot be saved — removal. Genetic testing matters.
The retina has come away from the wall of the eye. In children this can be due to trauma, an underlying condition like FEVR or Stickler syndrome, or follow-on from severe ROP. It is a surgical problem — sometimes urgent.
Key points: Surgery in children is technically demanding and is best done by a paediatric retina surgeon. Time matters — but rushing to the wrong centre can be worse than a thoughtful transfer to the right one. Ask about experience and follow-up plans.
An umbrella term for genetic conditions that affect the retina — including retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, Stargardt disease, and many others. Some run in families; many don't, even when caused by genes.
Key points: A precise genetic diagnosis matters more than ever — it predicts the course, helps plan low-vision support, and is required for emerging gene therapies. Ask your specialist about referral for genetic testing and counselling.
Abnormal blood vessels in the retina that leak fluid, usually in one eye, mostly in boys. Often picked up as poor vision in one eye, a "lazy eye", or a white pupil reflex.
Key points: Treatment is usually laser, freezing, or injections, and can require several visits over months. Saving useful vision depends on the stage at diagnosis. Long-term follow-up is important.
Conditions where blood vessels in the retina don't develop normally — even in babies born at full term. May be picked up at routine eye checks or after a "white pupil" finding.
Key points: Very variable — some children only need observation, others need surgery. Family screening is often recommended for FEVR because relatives may have a milder, undetected version.
