Glaucoma in Leprosy

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the status of glaucoma in leprosy, ophthalmic examinations including a measurement of intraocular pressure, optic disc and gonioscopic examinations were performed in 86 eyes of 43 leprosy patients. Mean intraocular presur was 12.6mmHg and 74 eyes (86%) revealed open-angle by gonioscopy. Peripheral anterior synechiae were found in 10.5%, and posterior synechiae in 29.6% which showed no relation to the intraocular pressure. The prevalence of glaucoma was 3.5% (3 eyes), 2 eyes with secondary open-angle glaucoma and 1 eye with primary angle-closure glaucoma. Duration of disease showed no correlation with the intraocular pressure and the peripheral anterior synechiae. The degree of intraocular pressure and angle width showed no statistically significant difference between the type of disease. As the glaucoma in leprosy has no apparent relation to duration of disease, degree of uveitis and posterior synechiae, a regular evaluation of intraocular pressure and optic disc examination are recommended for early detection of glaucoma in leprosy patients.