Uveal changes in leprosy

A total of 424 leprosy patients were screened for uveal involvement. Uveal changes were found in 11.2% of these patients. Uveal involvement was more common in patients with greater duration of the disease and in patients on irregular Dapsone therapy. Of the patients with uveal involvement 82% were lepromatous, 16% were borderline and 2% were of tuberculoid leprosy. Uveal changes in form of active iridocyclitis (21.3%), healed iridocyclitis (58.5%), iris atrophy (10.6%), iris pearls (7.4%), small irregular pupil (46.7%), pupil refractory to dilatation (56.3%) were seen. Posterior segment involvement was rare. Lepromatous and borderline leprosy patients with no clinical evidence of uveal involvement had decreased power of accommodation as compared to normal subjects.