Better eye disorder info could save Australian kids’ lives

According to the researchers behind the campaign, parents were generally the first to notice abnormal white reflections in children’s eyes (photoleaukocoria), which is often a marker of serious paediatric eye disease, such as cataract and the retinoblastoma.However, a lack of knowledge concerning the appropriate search terms meant they did not always find accurate information when investigating the condition online, with sometimes devastating effects.{{quote-a:r-w:400-I:2-Q:“Educating caregivers about the importance of recognising leukocoria early has been shown to significantly improve survival of children with retinoblastoma.”-WHO:Professor David Mackey, University of Western Australia’s chair of ophthalmology}}The initiative is a result of an Australian study published in Translation Vision Science & Technology, which examined the search terms people use to learn more about photoleukocoria.One of the study authors, University of Western Australia’s chair of ophthalmology Professor David Mackey, said 98% of participants shown pictures of children with leukocoria were able to identify the abnormality. However, when tasked with searching for information about the condition, most commonly used vague search terms including ‘white’, ‘pupil’, ‘photo’ and ‘eye’.“This lead th to a range of websites, with differences in the description of the photoleukocoria influencing the sites reached, the information obtained and subsequent motivation to seek medical help,” Mackey said.“We believe that having identified the most commonly used search terms for photoleukocoria is an important step for search engine optimisation. Being directed to the most appropriate websites that tells carers how serious photoleukocoria can be will prompt th to take action and potentially reduce delays in diagnosis.”Mackey said ensuring parents and carers were directed to accurate medical information online was vital because early diagnosis could be lifesaving and parents were generally unaware that it was a sign of a potentially fatal disease.“Educating caregivers about the importance of recognising leukocoria early has been shown to significantly improve survival of children with retinoblastoma,” Mackey said.“With increasing numbers of people turning to the internet for initial health information, it is vital that the information is accurate and helps people make decisions about next steps, such as promptly seeking an expert medical opinion.”Organisations currently hosting information about photoleukocoria can be alerted to the most commonly used search terms identified in this research to ensure their sites are reached should these search terms be used.