This study assesses the ocular toxicity in patients on high dose hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as per the latest guidelines of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an anti-malarial drug that is used to treat a variety of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome. Hydroxychloroquine is a less toxic metabolite of chloroquine. There is an ongoing increase in the number of patients who are using HCQ for prolonged duration because of the expanding indications and the relatively safe systemic profile. Hydroxychloroquine can cause variable ocular adverse effects including corneal deposits, posterior sub-capsular cataract, ciliary body dysfunction and toxic retinopathy. Toxic retinopathy caused by HCQ has been recognized for many years. Patients with toxic retinopathy usually complain of blurry vision. The classical clinical picture of HCQ toxic retinopathy is a bilateral bull's-eye maculopathy, which is caused by a ring of parafoveal RPE depigmentation that spares the fovea. The exact mechanism responsible for the development of this pattern is not fully understood, however, it is believed that the primary damage is in the photoreceptors and outer nuclear layer leading to secondary disruption of the RPE.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
63
The diagnosis of toxic retinopathy was based on the positivity of at least two objective tests to confirm the subjective findings. The presence or absence of toxicity was recorded.
The Eye Center
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Number of Participants With Treatment-Related Adverse Events as Assessed by clinical signs and ancillary tests
A data collection sheet used to collect patient's information regarding the dose per body weight and duration of hydroxychloroquineuse and any risk factors associated with the use of the medication as per the latest AAO guidelines for hydroxychloroquine screening. Complete ophthalmic examination including assessment of visual acuity, anterior segment examination looking for corneal verticillata and a dilated fundus examination looking for retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) depigmentation either in a para-foveal or extra-macular distribution within the retina. Ancillary tests including visual field (10-2) testing, spectral domain ocular coherence tomography (SDOCT) fundus auto-fluorescence and multifocal Electroretinogram (ERG).
Time frame: 2 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.