@article{article,
  keywords = {Mycobacterium leprae , Keratitis, ocular alterations, Brazil},
  author = {Oliveira J and Sousa MMD and Arraes JFA and Rodrigues LF and Conti ACM and Sampaio ACM and Arraes JCD and Arraes TA},
  title = {Assessment of corneal sensitivity and ocular surface in Hansen{\textquoteright}s disease patients from a university hospital in Northern Brazil},
  abstract = {<p><strong>Objective:</strong>\&nbsp; To evaluate changes in corneal sensitivity and ocular surface in leprosy patients from a university hospital in Northern Brazil.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:</strong>\&nbsp; A case-control study was conducted with 16 leprosy patients (32 eyes) and 20 healthy controls (40 eyes). All participants underwent a single assessment that included ocular surface staining, tear film break-up time test, Schirmer I test, and corneal sensitivity testing using a Semmes-Weinstein aesthesiometer.</p>

<p><strong>Results:</strong>\&nbsp; Most leprosy patients were male (68.8\%), whereas the sex distribution was balanced in the Control Group. The mean age of the leprosy patients was 48.4 {\textpm} 19 years, compared to 33.7 {\textpm} 14.1 years for the control group. The Schirmer I test showed normal tear production in nearly all eyes (p = 0.061). Tear film instability (tear film break-up time \&lt;10 seconds) was observed in 20 eyes, including two cases of severe dry eye. Reduced corneal sensitivity to the blue monofilament was detected in 12.5\% of patients with leprosy. Punctate keratitis was present in 81.3\% of the leprosy group{\textquoteright}s eyes, which was significantly different from the control group (p = 0.0266).</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong>\&nbsp; Ocular surface alterations were more prevalent among leprosy patients, although not all individual parameters were statistically significant.</p>
},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {Revista Brasileira de Oftalmologia},
  volume = {85},
  pages = {1 - 5},
  month = {09/2026},
  publisher = {Revista Brasileira de Oftalmologia},
  issn = {0034-7280, 1982-8551},
  url = {https://www.scielo.br/j/rbof/a/J6C39HmrMKJMPHmmYmGpPzz/?format=pdf\&lang=en\&ilang=pt_BR},
  doi = {10.37039/1982.8551.20260078},
  language = {ENG},
}