Biolab informs 13,000 pediatricians about retinoblastoma

A Biolab Pharmaceuticals joins the De Olho nos Olhinhos campaign, idealized by journalist couple Daiana Garbin and Tiago Leifert, with the aim of eliminating deaths from retinoblastoma in Brazil - an eye cancer that affects children aged 0 to 5 - and improving diagnosis times.

The action aims to expand access to medical knowledge, reaching more than 13,000 pediatricians in all regions of Brazil. Booklets will be distributed with the main signs and symptoms of the disease, offering a practical guide to help with diagnosis and treatment.

"The pharmaceutical industry plays an essential role in promoting health, which goes beyond the development of medicines. Being part of an action as important as this reinforces our commitment to education and prevention," says Tati Marques, Biolab's Corporate Communications and Sustainability Director.

National movement

Initially designed to raise awareness on one day in September, the campaign has already had an impact on more than 150 million people. of Brazilians last year and has become the daily work of the NGO De Olho Nos Olhinhos which helps families all over Brazil.

This year, there will be two fronts: raising public awareness and special service days, with 88 events in all Brazilian states.

The story of the campaign began with a shocking diagnosis that changed the lives of Daiana, Tiago and Lua Leifert. At 11 months old, little Lua began treatment for retinoblastoma.

The family was slow to seek help due to a lack of information, says Daiana. "We had never heard of the disease and it never occurred to us that the signs we saw were important."

It was her father, Tiago, who noticed something was wrong. He recalls: "I could see a white reflection in the moon's eye, but only I could see it; nobody noticed. She was also cross-eyed, but everyone told me it was normal in babies. Until one day her eyes made a very irregular movement and that's when we decided to seek help."

Lua's disease was already advanced and a long struggle began. "Even at the beginning of our journey in pediatric oncology, Tiago and I decided to reveal the diagnosis publicly in order to share with other families the information we would have liked to have had, so that they could reach the diagnosis earlier than we did," says Daiana. "Every day, somewhere in Brazil, there is a child with an undiagnosed retinoblastoma, hidden inside the little eye. Our mission in life is to find it and make sure that this child wins," says Tiago.

Days of service

The campaign will be launched on September 12th. Tiago and Daiana will be present at GRAACC and then at UNIFESP.

For the third year running, the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UNIFESP will be holding a special day of care for children. With the support of the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO), 37 other hospitals and organizations across Brazil have also joined the campaign.

"In several states, we will have assistance for children who have already been diagnosed with an eye disease and are awaiting exams, surgery or glasses," explains the president of the CBO, Dr. Wilma Lelis Barboza.

About retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is the most common eye cancer among children aged 0 to 5. It is a malignant tumor that develops in the retina, the inner part of the eye.

The disease can develop in one eye, known as unilateral retinoblastoma, or both eyes, bilateral retinoblastoma. 

The most common symptoms of the disease are leucocoria, or "cat's eye", in which the pupil has a white, opaque area when it comes into contact with the reflection of light, and is visible in photos taken with a flash.

Eye twitching and changes in the position of the eyes, such as eye deviation (strabismus), are also common. In all these cases, doctors recommend that the child be taken to an ophthalmologist for a full examination.

Performing the Red Reflex Test (RRT), known as the little eye test, and frequent ophthalmic consultations in early childhood help to diagnose the disease early. The Unified Health System (SUS) offers treatment and follow-up for cases of retinoblastoma, in full and free of charge.

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