3. Face and eyes. Upper picture; active MB leprosy showing thickened (infiltrated) and shiny skin on the face. The ears on both sides show infiltration and nodule formation. Eyebrows have disappeared ('madarosis'; common in well-established MB leprosy of this kind, uncommon in other diseases). Lower left; active nodular MB leprosy with collapse of the cartilage of the nose (arrowed). Lower right; elderly patients with a long history of leprosy are most at risk to eye complications and blindness. This patient is unable to dose the eyes to protect them, due to damage to the facial nerves on both sides. This condition ('lagophthalmos') is the most common eye complication in leprosy. Exposure of the cornea (front covering of the eye) may lead to infection and ulceration.
