The incidence of lagophthalmus and posterior synechiae of the iris during chemotherapy of leprosy (morbus Hansen).
In the Green-Pastures-Leprosy-Hospital in Pikhara/Nepal 340 outpatients with leprosy were examined to evaluate the incidence of lagophthalmus and posterior synechiae of the iris. Patients who had already received chemotherapeutical treatment during the first 5 years following the onset of the disease developed fewer cases of lagophthalmus in both types of leprosy than patients who remained untreated for longer than 5 years. A comparable positive influence of early chemotherapy on the incidence of posterior synechiae of the iris could not be proven. The possible causes were discussed.
D000328:Adult; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007499:Iris Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors