Talk Program on Retinoblastoma

Month of the September, begins with Talk Program of Dr Purnima Rajkarnikar on Retinoblastoma. Retinoblastoma is the most common type of eye cancer arising from primitive retinal cells. It is a primary intraocular malignancy, mostly seen in children up to 5years age. It occurs in 1 of 15,000 live births and has 5% mortality rate in developed countries which has been observed up to 50% in the developing countries. It is a life threatening disease; however if diagnosed properly and treated timely it can be cured. In Nepal about 60 new cases found every year.

Early presentation of Retinoblastoma both Life and Eye saved if systemic chemotherapy, laser therapy and periocular chemotherapy.

Late presentation in Retinoblastoma risk of loss of life or Prolonged treatment like high dose chemotherapy, radiation therapy or exenteration surgery to remove eyeball.

Dr Purnima Rajkarnikar Sthapit is head of department of Oculoplastic and Ocular Oncology at Tilganga Institue of Ophthalmology.

• Trained in Oculoplastic Surgery at LMU Augenklinikum, Munich, Germany and then at Tilganga. Later she did her fellowship in ocular oncology from Will’s Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA and Centre for Sight, Hyderabad.
• Actively involved in management of various eye cancers like Retinoblastoma, Melanoma, Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia, etc.
• She has also been teaching and conducting oculoplastic surgeries for watery eyes, ptosis, entropion, ectropion, blepharoplasty etc.
• Apart from patient management, she is doing various research activities and presentation in National and International conferences too.
• Life member of Nepal Ophthalmic Society, Nepal Medical association, All India Ophthalmological Society and American Society of Clinical Oncologist.
• Founder board member of Nepalese Society of Oculoplastic Surgeons also.
• Central Committee member of Nepal Cancer Relief Society from 2018 to 2021.
• Founder President of Open Eyes Nepal, a not for profit, NGO focused on creating awareness and providing financial support to patients suffering from Retinoblastoma.