Retinoblastoma tells the story of our health care system.

OBJECTIVE To review cases of retinoblastoma. SETTING Department of Pathology Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi. METHOD Twenty-three specimens from cases of retinoblastoma received over a period of eight years were routinely processes and stained with haematoxylin and Eosin stain. Other stains were used for tuberculoses and melanin. Immunochemistry was resorted to in undifferentiated tumors. RESULTS Over 60% cases of retinoblastoma were diagnosed after 5 years and nine cases showed involvement of optinerve. CONCLUSION Late diagnosis of retinoblastoma effects the stage of the tumors and the prognosis.