Owing to cranial nerve palsies, lagophthalmus
and corneal insensitivity may complicate leprosy, resulting in trauma,
secondary infection, and (without treatment) corneal ulcerations and opacities.
For patients with these conditions, eyedrops during the day and ointments at
night provide some protection from such consequences. Furthermore, in LL
leprosy, the anterior chamber of the eye is invaded by bacilli, and ENL may
result in uveitis, with consequent cataracts and glaucoma. Thus leprosy is a
major cause of blindness in the developing world. Slit-lamp evaluation of LL
patients often reveals “corneal beading,” representing globi of M. leprae.
Source:
Harrison_s_Principles_of_Internal_Medicine_16th_Edition
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