OBJECTIVE: To analyse the main ocular presentations observed in leprosy diagnosed patients in Northern and Southeastern in Brasil regions. METHODS: Twenty-eight diagnosed leprosy patients were examined divided in two groups. Group I, compound by 12 patients at southeastern (ABC) and group II, compound by 16 patients at northern region (Amazon). Group I was examined from August 2003 to June 2004 at SP, in FMABC ophthalmology outpatient service and the second group was examined during the10th Mission of 2000 Vision Amazon Project that was carried out on July 2004. The twenty-eight patients were submitted to complete ophthalmological trial. RESULTS: It was noted predominance of male in both groups. It was noted the predominance of 50 to 60 years old individuals in Amazonian region and individuals aged 40 to 50 years old in ABC region. Concerning the clinical form of the disease, it was noted that, in Amazon region, there were 13 cases (81%) of Lepromatous leprosy and 3 cases (19%) of Tuberculoid leprosy. At ABC region there were 6 patients (50%) diagnosed with borderline leprosy, 5 (41%) lepromatous leprosy and only one (9%) with tuberculoid leprosy. There weren't forms of indeterminated leprosy in both investigated regions, what suggests a late diagnosis. CONCLUSION: It was verified a predominance of the most severe ocular changings among the examined patients at Amazonian region. It was observed ocular changings, mainly in most severe clinical forms of the disease.
Leprosy; Vision,low; Blindness; Amazonia
