Ocular Complications of Leprosy in Yemen
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2012, Vol 12, Issue 4
Abstract
Objectives: Tis study was conducted to identify the main ocular- and vision-threatening complications of leprosy in Yemen. Methods: Tis is a cross-sectional observational study which took place from February to July 2010. Leprosy patients attending the Skin and Venereal Diseases Hospital in the City of Light in Taiz, Yemen, who consented to participate in the study, were enrolled. Detailed demographic and medical histories were taken and clinical examination fndings were recorded. A detailed eye examination, including visual acuity (VA), slit-lamp, and fundus examinations, was conducted on each patient by a qualifed ophthalmologist. Results: A total of 192 patients (180 male, 12 female, with a male to female ratio of 15:1) were included in the study. Te majority of the patients (157; 81.8%) were over 40 years. Over two-thirds of the patients (129; 67.2%) had had leprosy for more than 20 years. Ocular complications were found in 97% of cases; 150 (39.1%) of the patients’ eyes had at least one pathology. Eyelid involvement was the most common problem observed in 102 (26.5%) patients. Half of the eyes (192; 50%) had a VA of <6/60. Te main cause of blindness among these patients was corneal opacity detected in 69 out of 192 patients (35.9%). Conclusion: Ocular complications are frequent among leprosy patients in Yemen. Tey are true vision-threatening lesions. It is important to prevent these lesions through early diagnosis and adequate treatment.
Authors and Affiliations
Raga A. A. Salem| Department of Ophthalmology, University of Aden, Khormakser, Aden, Yemen
Keywords
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