01297nas a2200265   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653002200055653001100077653001100088653001200099653000900111653002400120653001000144100001200154700001300166700001300179700001200192245005900204856004100263300001000304490000700314520069600321022001401017       2001                            d  c2001 Sep10aDry Eye Syndromes10aFemale10aHumans10aleprosy10aMale10aProspective Studies10aTears1 aKoshy S1 aDaniel E1 aKurian N1 aYovan P00aPathogenesis of dry eye in leprosy and tear functions.  uhttp://ila.ilsl.br/pdfs/v69n3a05.pdf  a215-80 v693 a<p>Seventy-five leprosy patients and an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls were examined for tear functions, using Schirmer's test and tear break up time (BUT). There was no statistically significant difference in the Schirmer's test, but the tear BUT showed a statistically significant lower value of < 10 seconds in multibacillary patients compared to paucibacillary patients. Leprosy patients with lagophthalmos and decreased corneal sensation showed a lower value of tear BUT which was also statistically significant. This study shows that even though the quantity of tears is not affected, proper and prolonged wetting of the cornea is deficient in many leprosy patients.</p>  a0148-916X