Ocular complications in visceral leishmaniasis.

Abstract

Literature on eye lesions associated with visceral leishmaniasis is briefly reviewed, and the results of routine examination of the eyes of 50 leishmaniasis patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya, are presented. 6 patients showed ocular pathology attributable to kala azar: 4 had severe anterior uveitis and 2 had retinal haemorrhages. Their cases are briefly summarized. Among the next 21 patients seen, 3 had anterior uveitis. The anterior uveitis was treated with steroids, but experience so far indicates that the uveitis in kala azar is chronic and responds poorly to treatment. Retinal haemorrhages were treated only with Pentostam and were absorbed without remaining damage within a few weeks.