Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer that begins in the retina of the eye. The retina is a thin layer of nerve tissue that lines the inside of the back of the eye and is sensitive to light. In order to see, the retina senses light and sends a message by way of the optic nerve to the brain.
Retinoblastoma can occur in one or both eyes and sometimes occurs in the area around the eye. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Treatment depends on whether the cancer is in one or both eyes or has spread outside the eye and how likely it is that vision can be saved.
About 200 to 300 children are diagnosed with retinoblastoma each year in the U.S. Although retinoblastoma can occur at any age, it usually occurs in children younger than 5 years. It is most common in children younger than 2 years.