OPTOMETRIST DETECTS SIGNS OF TUMOUR IN 6 MONTH OLD CHILD

Mr Umarfarouq Jussab, Principal Consultant Optometrist at St Peter's Eye Clinic, diagnosed a rare condition of the eye in a 6 month old child when parents attended his clinic.

The 28 year old optometrist found a white pupil (leucokoria) indicative of a malignant tumour (retinoblastoma) in the child's eye. The parents of the child had seen what they called “a shiny eye”, but were not aware of any sight-threatening condition that could affect the child's life. Mr Jussab referred the child to Leicester Royal Infirmary where a Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist confirmed the diagnosis.

The child is now in the care of the hospital where further tests are being undertaken to rule out associated systemic abnormalities.

Mr Jussab has been in the field of optics for over 12 years. He started work as an optical assistant and then qualified as a dispensing optician with a BSc (Hons), following which he continued further studies in Optometry at the University of Bradford.

Mr Jussab believes vision awareness to be an important part of health care and he urges the public to be sure to have a routine eye examination.