Comm Eye Health Vol. 31 No. 101 2018 pp 28. Published online 23 May 2018.
Key community eye health messages
Related content
If you see something white inside a child’s eye, seek help
![Child's face showing white reflex in right eye](https://cehjournal.org/wp-content/themes/cehj-theme/img/grey.gif)
- This is easier to see in the early morning or late evening, or by a dim light
- Vision may not be affected
- Be determined. Do not let anyone turn you away until a specialist eye doctor has looked inside the child’s eyes
- Health workers: believe the parents/carers and refer to a specialist – it is an emergency
Test the red reflex if you are able to
![Left eye: the absence of a red reflex is abnormal and could indicate a serious condition. Refer the child to a specialist. © Childhood Eye Cancer Trust](https://cehjournal.org/wp-content/themes/cehj-theme/img/grey.gif)
![Left eye: the wrong colour in a red reflex (here white) could indicate a serious condition. The child in this image has a cataract in the left eye. Refer the child to a specialist. © Heiko Philippin](https://cehjournal.org/wp-content/themes/cehj-theme/img/grey.gif)
- The reflex should be the same in both eyes
- Check the red reflex in a relative’s eye for comparison if you are unsure
- An abnormal, or absent, red reflex in one or both eyes is serious and may indicate cataract or retinoblastoma
- An absent red reflex is also abnormal
- An abnormal red reflex is an emergency. Refer the child to a specialist urgently
- If you have any doubts, refer to a specialist who can examine the back of the eye
Enucleation saves lives. With well fitted prostheses, children can have an attractive outcome
![Young girl having a prosthetic eye fitted](https://cehjournal.org/wp-content/themes/cehj-theme/img/grey.gif)
![Young girl after having a prosthetic eye fitted](https://cehjournal.org/wp-content/themes/cehj-theme/img/grey.gif)