ABSTRACT
Lagophthalmos and corneal hypaesthesia are amongst the most frequently encountered lesions in leprosy and they can easily give rise to blindness. Many measures (such as eye drops, protective conoid shields, muscle exercises, surgical treatment etc.) have been used to protect the eyes under such circumstances and this paper examines the protective role of methyl cellulose and conoid shields in 41 patients. All of them had lagophthalmos (5 mm or more) and corneal hypaesthesia. They were divided into three groups. Group one had 15 leprosy control patients (27 eyes) who did not use methyl cellulose or eye shields. Group two had 16 leprosy patients (28 eyes) and they used methyl cellulose and eye shields when they felt discomfort in their eyes. Group three had 10 leprosy patients (17 eyes) and they used methyl cellulose and eye shields regularly. Statistically significant improvement was seen in group three. Further studies on larger groups of patients including the effects of different concentrations of methyl cellulose, on Schirmer test and tear break up time, may be of value.
Subject(s)
Corneal Diseases/therapy , Eye Protective Devices , Eyelid Diseases/therapy , Hypesthesia/therapy , Leprosy/complications , Methylcellulose/therapeutic use , Adult , Corneal Diseases/etiology , Eyelid Diseases/etiology , Female , Humans , Hypesthesia/etiology , Leprosy/physiopathology , Male , Ophthalmic SolutionsABSTRACT
Between 1983-1987, the Istanbul Leprosy Centre (ILC) organized in Van a leprosy education program for medical personnel and the local population, subsequently whole population surveys and case contact surveys were carried out independently in different regions. 66 new cases were detected during those years 56 (85%) patients were diagnosed by ILC teams at the field and at the hospital. In 49 (74%) of the 66 there was one or more close contact within the family, in 17 (26%) there was none, but old patients in the village or nearby. It is concluded that the education of the local medical authorities and the population is of utmost importance for the early diagnosis and patient-close contact surveys are the best for our country.
