Retinoblastoma is the most common ocular tumor in children, representing 4% of all cancers in those under 15. Despite achieving a 90% survival rate with current treatments, there is a need for earlier diagnosis and more effective therapies to enhance patients’ quality of life.
Doctor of Optometry students learn to perform comprehensive pediatric eye exams and screen for retinoblastoma in their professional training. Students from the Summer Fellowship Training Program at the Rosenberg School of Optometry (UIW) are involved in a collaborative research project with the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying retinoblastoma. Results from this collaboration have been presented at the annual meetings of the American Academy of Optometry and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.