The Prevalence of Ocular Morbidity in Leprosy Patients at Kuyera Leprosy Rehabilitation Center

Abstract

Kibrom Mekonen Teferi and Alemayehu Woldeyes Tefera

Background: Leprosy is among the oldest disease in the world but it is the list studied chronic disease in Ethiopia and worldwide to cause more ocular complications than any other systemic bacterial disease.

Methods: Community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2023 among leprosy patients at Kuyera Rehabilitation Center. Detailed sociodemographic, medical hitory and clinical examination findings were recorded by the principal investigator. Comprehensive eye examinations, including slit-lamp evaluation, fundus examinations, and refraction were performed on all participants. Descriptive statistical and logisttic regression analysis was done.

Results: A total of 70 participants were included. Most participants were over 40 years old (n=61, 87.2%), and 95.7% (n= 67) had leprosy for more than 5 years. Most of them (93%) had ocular complaints. Cataract was the most common ocular condition observed (21.4%), while refractive errors were the leading cause of visual impairment (24.3%). The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness among the participants was 34% and 20%, respectively.

Conclusion: Ocular complications are frequent among leprosy patients in Ethiopia. Regular eye examinations are necessary to prevent leprosy-related ocular complications.

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