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Ocular complications of leprosy in Cameroon.

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the main ocular complications of leprosy in Cameroon.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is a prospective cross-sectional study which took place from July 1998 to January 1999 in five leprosaria in Cameroon. The ophthalmological examination of all patients was performed by the same team.

RESULTS: Of the 218 patients examined, 60.1% were males and 39.9% females. 72.5% had a paucibacillary leprosy and 27.5% a multibacillary form. 77.5% of patients had at least one ocular lesion and 38.3% of eyes had visual acuity < or = 1/10. Madarosis and anterior uveitis were more frequent in multibacillary forms while lagophthalmos and cataract were so in paucibacillary forms.

CONCLUSION: Ocular complications are frequent in leprosy in Cameroonians. It is a true public health problem and it is important to prevent these lesions by early diagnosis and adequate treatment.

More information

Type
Journal Article
Author
Mvogo C E
Bella-Hiag A L
Ellong A
Achu J H
Nkeng P F