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Study of ocular changes in leprosy patients
L G Monteiro1, W R Campos, F Oréfice
1São Geraldo Hospital, Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Indian Journal of Leprosy
|September 2, 1998
Summary
Ocular complications affect over 30% of leprosy patients, particularly those with lepromatous leprosy. These eye changes worsen with age and disease duration, though severe lesions are infrequent due to prior treatment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, can manifest with various systemic complications.
- Ocular involvement is a known but often underreported sequela of leprosy.
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for ocular changes is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of ocular bulb changes in leprosy patients.
- To identify factors associated with the development and severity of ocular lesions in leprosy.
- To examine specific fundic changes, such as 'pearls', associated with leprosy.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 997 leprosy patients.
- Classification of patients based on leprosy type: lepromatous, borderline, tuberculoid, and indeterminate.
- Ophthalmic examination to document ocular bulb alterations and fundic findings.
Main Results:
- 31.5% of leprosy patients exhibited ocular bulb changes, with a higher incidence in lepromatous leprosy (53%).
- Ocular alterations correlated positively with increasing patient age and disease duration.
- Severe ocular lesions were uncommon, suggesting the efficacy of prior systemic treatments.
Conclusions:
- Ocular complications are common in leprosy patients, especially those with lepromatous leprosy.
- Age and disease duration are significant risk factors for developing ocular changes.
- Proactive management and systemic treatment appear to mitigate severe ocular manifestations.