Ocular leishmaniasis: a cause of blindness

ABSTRACT

Leishmaniasis involving the eye and causing blindness is rare. Three cases of blindness caused by leishmaniasis are described in this report; two were caused by the direct extension of conjunctival leishmaniasis and one was caused by the systemic dissemination of kala-azar. Histologic sections of the enucleated eye balls showed multiple non-caseating granulomas in the bulbar conjunctiva, iris, ciliary body and retina. At higher magnification these granulomas revealed leishman bodies. This blindness can be prevented by early diagnosis and prompt vigorous treatment with glucantime