What is retinoblastoma?
In short
- A rare eye cancer in young children. A white glow in the pupil, especially in flash photos, needs an urgent check the same day.
- A white glow or white reflection in the centre of the pupil, seen in low light or in flash photos.
- Ask for an urgent GP or optician appointment, or call NHS 111, if you notice a white glow in the pupil, a swollen or painful eye, possible vision problems or uncontrolled eye movements.
Also called: Eye cancer in children
- Part of the eye
- Childhood eye cancer
- Group
- Specialist care
- Vision functions involved
- Visual field, Contrast and detail
- Main source
- NHS
Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer which can affect young children. It starts in the retina at the back of the eye. The child may otherwise seem well, which is why the signs are easy to miss. Found early, it is treatable, and the sooner it is checked the more sight can be saved.
Retina
The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Glossary entry
How retinoblastoma can affect day-to-day life
You may recognise some of these situations, or none of them. The point is to find help with the things you want to do.
The flash photo
One pupil looks white or glows while the other looks normal.
Book an urgent GP or optician appointment the same day, or call 111. Take the photo with you.
A new squint in a baby
One eye turns in or out, or the eyes seem to wander.
Get it checked. Most squints are not cancer, but the check is quick and rules it out.
Changes you may notice
- A white glow or white reflection in the centre of the pupil, seen in low light or in flash photos.
- A squint, a change in the colour of the iris, swelling around the eye, vision problems, pain, or eye movements the child cannot control.
Everyone is different. Symptoms on their own cannot identify a condition.
What to do about a new or sudden changeAssessment and care
Ask for an urgent GP or optician appointment, or call NHS 111, if you notice a white glow in the pupil, a swollen or painful eye, possible vision problems or uncontrolled eye movements. The GP or optician looks at the back of the eyes with a light and may refer straight to hospital or an eye specialist. A specialist referral should happen within 2 weeks. A squint or a change in iris colour should also be checked.
How vision is affected
These topics explain the parts of vision involved. They do not predict your sight, diagnose anything or show the condition itself.
Visual field
Finding a face and noticing the edge of a step make different demands on sight. One uses the centre of your view. The other uses the edges.
Open the visual field labContrast and detail
Sharp edges only help when they stand out from the background. Contrast, print size and blur each change how easy a task is.
Open the contrast and detail labEveryday support
Look back through recent flash photos. A white pupil in one eye where the other is red or dark is the classic sign. Do not wait for the next routine check. The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust supports families through diagnosis, treatment and after, on 0207 377 5578.
Driving: you must tell DVLA about an eye condition which affects both eyes, or your only seeing eye. Driving and your eyesight
Common questions
What does a white glow in the pupil mean?
It can be a sign of retinoblastoma. Ask for an urgent GP or optician appointment or call NHS 111 the same day. Most white reflections have another cause, but the check is quick and the cancer is treatable when found early.
My child seems well. Do I still need to go?
Yes. The NHS says a child with retinoblastoma may otherwise seem well. If a specialist referral is made, the appointment should happen within 2 weeks.
Who supports families?
The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust on 0207 377 5578, with the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group, Macmillan and Cancer Research UK.
A question to take to your appointment
What did you see at the back of my child's eye, and when exactly is the specialist appointment?Prepare your appointment checklist
Sources and review status
- Written by
- The Omnirx.io team, from the sources above
- Sources checked
- Page updated
- Next review due
- Clinical review
- Not yet. No clinician has endorsed this page.
- Reading level
- About 16 words a sentence, 224 words of guidance
Was this page useful?
Cite this page
Glanced (2026) Retinoblastoma: what the name means, care and support. Omnirx.io team for Medstack Ltd. Available at: https://www.glanced.co.uk/condition/retinoblastoma/ (Accessed: ). Source checked 4 October 2026.
Educational information. Follow the advice of your own eye-care team.