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Early detection

KAKS sensitizes young parents and medical professionals to the early warning signs of eye cancer and, after many years, has succeeded in ensuring that comprehensive eye screening for children in Germany is carried out as part of the U-examinations.

Brückner-
Test

Early detection of visual disorders in children

Our greatest success: the mandatory Brückner test!
After 7 years of fighting, this test was introduced for the U-examinations.
On 01.09.2016, the new guideline came into force as part of the U-examinations.
It finally requires the pediatrician to carry out the Brückner test with the direct ophthalmoscope from U4 to U7.
The following areas are tested:
1. leukocoria and Brückner test,
2. strabismus,
3. efference and
4. afference.
There are over 4,000 cases of tumors in children every year, which can be detected early by a thorough eye examination.

The importance of these eye examinations cannot be overemphasized: They enable faster diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors, retinoblastomas and neuroblastomas.
This not only improves the chances of recovery, but also the quality of life of the children affected.
This guideline is a milestone for pediatric medicine and an example of successful health initiatives that can sustainably save and improve the lives of many children.

How to do it: Perform the eye test on children correctly!

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Dr. Nadine Hess, a pediatrician in private practice in Hamburg, found a child with RB as part of the U-examinations.

“The Brückner test – hardly any other screening tool is as quick, simple, painless and potentially life-saving.
I am so glad that he exists and that my little patient is doing well today.”

What is leukocoria?

Leukocoria means ‘white pupil’ and occurs when the typical red pupillary reflex is absent, e.g. in photographs.
Causes can be retinoblastoma, cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity, retinal or choroidal coloboma and rare hereditary diseases.
Immediate clarification by an ophthalmologist is required.

See white

With the “Seeing White” campaign, the KinderAugenKrebsStiftung (Children’s Eye Cancer Foundation) aims to bring forward the time at which retinoblastoma is diagnosed.
Nevertheless, children are still diagnosed far too late because parents are not informed about this disease.

The KinderAugenKrebsStiftung has printed and distributed 20,000 prevention flyers and 10,000 posters, 4,000 parcels have been sent to almost all German pediatricians and distributed in pediatricians’ practices, ophthalmologists’ practices, kindergartens, preschools, daycare centers, neonatal wards, hospitals, etc. We are supported both by clinics and – and we are particularly pleased about this – by affected families. We would be happy to send you these posters if you would like to help us. Simply send an e-mail to info@kaks.de. Or download and print them out.

Prof. Dr. Angelika Eggert, Director of the Department of Paediatrics with a focus on oncology and haematology at the Charité in Berlin

“Ten years ago, hardly any pediatricians in Germany talked about retinoblastoma – and hardly anyone was aware of the relevance of the topic – KAKS has completely changed that: today, every pediatrician takes a close look. And that saves the eyesight and sometimes the lives of these children.”

Mission
of KAKS

In 2013, the Children’s Eye Cancer Foundation was awarded the ACHSE Central Care Prize for Chronic Rare Diseases for its “Seeing White” campaign. The prize was endowed with 10,000 euros.
A total of 37 institutions and their projects competed for the care prize.
The prize was awarded to the KinderAugenKrebsStiftung during the afternoon event of the Augenlicht Spendentour on June 29, 2013 in Düsseldorf.

“The prize is a very important multiplier for our project, because it’s about looking,” say Monika and Gregor König, founders of the KinderAugenKrebsStiftung (KAKS). “We know from our own experience how quickly the symptoms of childhood eye cancer can be overlooked by parents and doctors. This is exactly where we come in with our project
‘Seeing White’ and make pediatricians and parents aware of the disease with information material and posters. Because the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better the chances of recovery.” KAKS is also funding a study at Essen University Hospital to scientifically underpin and optimize early detection.

The Alliance of Chronic Rare Diseases (ACHSE) e.V. and Central Krankenversicherung AG support projects that improve care for the “orphans of medicine” with this award. These are people affected by a rare disease who are often left alone in our healthcare system in their search for diagnosis, therapies, experts and information.

Interviews

An interview with Prof. Dr. med. Vinodh Kakkassery, Chief Physician at Chemnitz Hospital

KAKS Interview: Prof. Francis Munier, Lausanne, Switzerland

Interview with Prof. Francis Munier, Hospital Ophthalmic Jules-Gonin, Lausanne

Interview with the boss – Nikolaos Bechrakis in conversation with KAKS

Significantly better prognosis for the eye and survival

Dr. med. Markus Holdt

Further information


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Research

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International projects

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