Training Health Workers to Recognize, Treat, Refer and Educate Patients About Ocular Leprosy

The following sections are included:

• CONTENTS

Reliable estimates of ocular morbidity and blindness from leprosy are not currently available. It is estimated that ocular complications of leprosy affect around two million people worldwide, causing blindness in approximately 250 000.¹ In most of these people, blindness and ocular morbidity are avoidable. Furthermore, nonleprosy-related ocular morbidity and blindness affect leprosy patients with the same prevalence as they affect the rest of the population…

Leprosy paramedical workers are the front-line personnel for leprosy control in most leprosy endemic areas. In some cases, leprosy control is combined with tuberculosis control or control of other infectious diseases. Thus, the skills of the worker may vary. Nevertheless, in most situations, the worker responsible for leprosy control has had some formal training, and is responsible to a programme and not to the community…

Trainees using the Guide to Ocular Leprosy for Health Workers will usually be leprosy paramedical workers with special training in leprosy control. Basic requirements to become a leprosy paramedical worker or other health workers involved in leprosy control vary. It is not the purpose of this manual to establish the minimum qualifications for health workers providing primary eye care in leprosy; however, it is most important that those selected have adequate vision (at least 6/12 for distance and appropriate correction for presbyopia) and that they be literate. While it is desirable to have an individual with an interest in eye care, this may not always be possible. It is up to the instructor to make the topic of primary eye care interesting…

The following sections are included:

• Teaching Objectives

• Pre- & Post-tests

• Teaching Methods

• Learning Content

The following sections are included:

• Teaching objectives

• Pre- and Post-test Questions

• Post-test Only

• Teaching Methods

The following sections are included:

• THE EYELIDS AND EYELASHES
  • Training Objectives
  • Pre- & Post-test Questions
  • Post-test Only

• Teaching Methods

• Treatment & Referral for Eye Complications
  • LAGOPHTHALMOS AND TRICHIASIS

• THE CONJUNCTIVA
  • Training Objectives
  • Pre- and Post-test Questions
  • Post-test Only

• Teaching Methods

• Treatment & Referral for Eye Complaints
  • CONJUNCTIVITIS
  • ACUTE IRITIS
  • LAGOPHTHALMOS-RELATED

• THE CORNEA
  • Training Objectives
  • Pre- and Post-test Questions
  • Post-test Only

• Teaching Methods

• Treatment & Referral of Ocular Conditions
  • DULL OR ROUGH CORNEA

• THE IRIS & PUPIL
  • Training Objectives
  • Pre & Post-test Questions
  • Post-test Only

• Teaching Methods

• Treatment & Referral for Eye Complaints
  • CHRONIC IRITIS
  • CATARACT
  • OTHERS

• NOTE

The following sections are included:

• Teaching Objectives

• Pre- & Post-test Questions

• Post-test Questions

• Teaching Methods

The following sections are included:

• Teaching Objectives
  • LAGOPHTHALMOS & TRICHIASIS
  • CONJUNCTIVA
  • CORNEA
  • IRIS & PUPIL

• Pre- and Post-test Questions

• Post-test Only

• Teaching Methods

The success of an ocular programme requires more than good initial training. Health workers need adequate support once they have returned to their posts. This can be maintained through occasional workshops to upgrade their skills and increase their knowledge. Equally important is follow-up by the trainer and referral clinician. Health workers need to have adequate supplies for diagnosis and treatment. They also need to feel that they have an “open door” to the clinician if they have any questions. Their work needs to be appreciated by their supervisors. To ensure health worker co-operation and interest, it is often useful to have monthly meetings to discuss their progress, answer questions, and to build a support network. With a strong supportive infrastructure and good training, health workers can be the backbone of ocular care for leprosy patients…

The following sections are included:

• APPENDIX A

• APPENDIX B

• APPENDIX C

• APPENDIX D

• APPENDIX E