@article{104211,
  keywords = {lepra reactions, Ocular manifestations, Hansen’s disease, Leprosy, Preventable Blindness},
  author = {Anbulakshmi J  and Mohanasundari PS  and Jayanthi NS  and Vijayabhaskar C  and AV Guruprakash },
  title = {Leprosy Through a New Lens: Shedding Light on Leprosy’s Impact on Vision-A Cross Sectional Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital},
  abstract = {<p>Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which often involves ocular tissues and may lead to visual impairment if not detected early. This study has been carried out to determine the prevalence and pattern of ocular manifestations in Hansen’s disease, comparing both disease spectrum and reactional status. This cross-sectional observational study enrolled 70 patients diagnosed with Hansen’s disease, either on multidrug therapy (MDT) or post-MDT, from February 2024 to January 2025. Patients were classified by the Ridley–Jopling spectrum and by history of lepra reaction. Comprehensive dermatologic, neurologic and ophthalmic evaluations were conducted. Data were analysed; categorical variables expressed as frequencies/percentages and associations tested by Fisher’s exact test; significance set at p &lt; 0.05. Among 70 patients (44 males, 26 females), 28 were on MDT, 42 post-treatment; 27 had lepra reactions while 43 had no reactional history. Most of the patients belonged to lepromatous spectrum (18) and least to tuberculoid spectrum (12). Ocular manifestations were more frequent and severe in the reaction group: madarosis (8/27 vs 5/43), lagophthalmos only in reaction group, Koeppe and Busacca nodules only in reaction group, iris atrophy and cataract significantly higher. Cataract was the most common ocular finding (36/70 = 51.4%). Spectrum-wise, tuberculoid and borderline tuberculoid groups showed more nerve-related complications (lagophthalmos, exposure keratitis), while lepromatous forms exhibited more chronic inflammatory lesions (iris atrophy, nodular uveitis). Ocular involvement in Hansen’s disease was found to be common in HD patients at our tertiary care centre. Both disease spectrum and reactional episodes influence ocular morbidity, but reactional status appears more dreaded. Early ophthalmic screening and screening during lepra reactions is crucial to prevent irreversible vision loss.</p>
},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {Indian Journal of Leprosy},
  volume = {98},
  pages = {267 - 275},
  month = {04/2026},
  url = {https://www.ijl.org.in/published-articles/30092026095423/5_Original_Article_Anbu_Lakshmi_et_al_July_Sept_2026.pdf},
  language = {ENG},
}