Training for primary eye care in leprosy

Reported are the results of a primary eye care training programme for community-based leprosy control workers in the Republic of Korea. The 20-hour programme emphasized the detection and management of lagophthalmos (and its complications) and chronic iridocyclitis. Leprosy patients in four resettlement villages were examined independently by the health workers and an ophthalmologist. Agreement between the health workers and the ophthalmologist was good for the detection of most signs (lagophthalmos, acute iridocyclitis, and chronic iridocyclitis). Based on these preliminary results it is recommended that primary eye care be included as a part of the training for leprosy paramedical workers.