A Study on Ocular Leprosy among patients attending a tertiary care centre of West Bengal

PURPOSE: To study the magnitude and treatment outcome of ocular leprosy among leprosy patients attending our institution from its nearby districts and adjoining states. MATERIALS & METHODS: All the 25 leprosy patients attending the Ophthalmology out-patient department in the last one year (April 2018 to March 2019) underwent detailed ocular examination . Medical and surgical treatment was given as and when required. RESULTS: Among the patients 64% (16) were male . Majority 56% (14) were in 18-40 yrs age group. 12 had multibacillary leprosy, 10 paucibacillary leprosy and 3 were having borderline leprosy . 12 (48%) patients had leprosy related ocular lesions. Among the potential sight threatening lesions 5 (20%) patients had lagophthalmos,7(28%) patients had got anterior uveitis and 4 developed complicated cataract. Among the surgically treated patients ,outcome of cataract extraction was excellent as 3 out of 4 cataract extracted patients (75%) had best corrected visual acuity(BCVA) 6/6-6/18 whereas patients receiving tarsorrhaphy had poor visual outcome (BCVA <6/60) in 3 month follow up visit . CONCLUSION: As the number of study participants is small , and it is a hospital – based study, our study only gives a rough idea of the common lesions and extent of ocular morbidity in leprosy patients in our district and neighbouring areas. A proper assessment of the problem magnitude requires a larger community based study in these areas.