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.