Korean Lepr Bull.
2008 Dec;41(2):11-15.
Eyelash Ptosis in Hansen's Disease
- Affiliations
-
- 1Ahn's Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, Korea.
- 2Department of Dermatology, Cheil Hospitall, Korea. parkhjmd@medimail.co.kr
- 3Korean Hansen Welfare Association, Korea.
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Eyelash ptosis(ELP) is a common finding in patients with long-standing leprosy. However, it has rarely been reported in the literature previously, because it has been diagnosed as trichiasis or entropion.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of ELP in Hansen's disease.
METHODS
We took both frontal and lateral photographs of eyes in 20 patients and evaluated the degree of ptosis using a 4-point rating scale, in which 0 indicates no ptosis; 1, minimal; 2, moderate; and 3, severe. The evaluation was also performed in 20 normal persons as control group.
RESULTS
All patients demonstrated ELP. In general, severity of ptosis in patient group is greater than that in control group. While the mean eyelash ptosis rating was 2.0+/-0.6 in the latter, it was 0.6+/-0.4 in the former, which is statistically significant (p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
ELP is common in the patients with Hansen's disease and moderate to severe forms occurred more commonly in disease group compared with control group. ELP must be considered as a characteristic ocular finding in long-standing leprosy.
