[Visual evoked potential in leprosy patients].

Purpose: To verify the possible alterations in visual evoked potential of leprosy patients.

Methods: Visual evoked potential examinations were performed in 13 Hansen disease patients, 5 of them with the multibacillary form and 8 with the paucibacillary. This was done at the moment of the diagnosis. The control group enrolled 15 health individuals, without Hansen disease.

Results: The measurement result varied from 102.0 to 120.5 ms, with a mean of 110.1+/-5.7 ms. In the multibacillary form, the values varied from 109.0 to 120.0 ms, mean 111.1+/-5.4. In the paucibacillary, the values varied from 102.0 to 120.5 ms, with a mean of 109.5+/-6.1 ms. The latency values were significantly greater in Hansen disease patients (p<0.0001), even if multibacillary and paucibacillary forms were compared separately. However, there was no significant difference when the pauci- and multibacillary groups were compared.

Conclusion: The latency values were significantly greater in leprosy patients. A recommendation can be made for these patients, which is to be submitted to early visual evoked potential as a rule in order to investigate ocular complications, as well as to prevent damages.