[Phacoemulsification-aspiration technique with intraocular lens implantation in leprosy patients]

The author analyzed the results of cataract surgery performed in 25 eyes of 22 leprosy patients. All the eyes were treated by phacoemulsification-aspiration technique with intraocular lens implantation. The subjects consisted of 15 eyes of 14 leprosy patients with past history of uveitis and 10 eyes of 8 leprosy patients without uveitis. The mean follow-up time after surgery was 20 months and 23 months, respectively. In 93% of eyes with uveitis and 90% of eyes without uveitis, the postoperative vision improved by 2 lines or more. Postoperative complications were higher among patients with uveitis (93%) compared with patients without uveitis (40%). But no serious complications were encountered in patients with uveitis.