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Purpose : Leprosy which is also referred to as Hansen’s disease has haunted human civilization since ancient times. The deformity, disability and disfigurement the disease causes in its natural coarse made the affected suffer lifelong. The first records about leprosy in Sri Lanka are found in Mahawansa, an ancient Sinhalese chronicle depicting history of Sri Lanka written in 6th century AD. Out of the numerous complications which arise from this disease ocular complications causes a significant proportion of morbidity. Purpose of this study was to delineate epidemiological and clinical patterns of ocular complications among treatment completed leprosy patients.
Methods : A detailed ophthalmic examination was performed on, in-ward patients diagnosed with leprosy in the Leprosy Hospital of Sri Lanka. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21
Results : The study sample consisted of 31 patients (20 males, 11 females). Mean age was 71±13 years. All had completed treatment for leprosy with multidrug therapy. Mean duration since completion of the treatment was 28±13 years. Ocular involvement was present in 96.7% (n=30). All those with ocular involvement had a subnormal corrected visual acuity. Tearing (16.1%, n=5) and irritation (6.5%, n=2) were the commonest symptoms. The commonest ocular complication was cataract (90.3%, n=28) followed by reduced corneal sensation (51.6%, n=14), lagophthalmos (29.0%, n=9), madarosis (12.9%, n=4)and scleral pigmentation (9.7%, n=3). Corneal opacities were present in three patients (9.7%,) and dry eyes diagnosed with positive Schirmer test in three patients(9.7%).
Conclusion : The study showed high prevalence of leprosy related ocular complications long after the completion of treatment. Hence access to ophthalmic care such as cataract surgery facilities should be provided for patients even long after completion of treatment and regular ophthalmic clinics should be organized for their follow-up specially to ensure prevention of corneal complications.
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