[Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in leprosy patients: case control study].
OBJECTIVE
To check the complications of cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation in leprosy patients by the phacoemulsification technique, and to compare these results, with a control group.


METHODS
The used method was a case control study, where 31 eyes from leprosy patients were submitted to cataract surgery, from June 1999 to January 2003, called Case Group. On the other hand, 31 eyes of healthy patients were selected for the Control Group. The comparison between the groups was performed using Fisher's exact test. The used program was EPI INFO 6.04.


RESULTS
Sphincter tear was the only postoperative complication higher in the leprosy group (p=0.024). The other alterations did not show statistic differences (p>0.05). Visual acuity improvement was the same in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that the visual acuity and complications after cataract surgery with intraocular lens are the same in leprosy patients and healthy ones.
Dias
Rodrigo José Nunes
RJ
Hospital Governador Israel Pinheiro, Instituto da Previdencia dos Servidores do Estado de Minas Gerais, Rua Paracatu 860, CEP 30180-090 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. rnunesdias@hotmail.com
Maakaroun
Mônica Jeha
MJ
de Castro
Aldemar Vilela
AV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014792:Visual Acuity