13th February 2025

Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy

Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial medication also used in the management of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The incidence of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy is low but it can lead to irreversible vision loss.  

Patients are screened through annual eye examinations if they are considered at high risk, including with treatment duration >5 years, high dose of hydroxychloroquine or co-existing significant renal or hepatic disease.

References

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• Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Diabetic Retinopathy Guidelines. 2012 [cited 18 July 2023]. Available from: https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2012-SCI-267-Diabetic-Retinopathy-Guidelines-December-2012.pdf
• Public Health England. NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme: grading definitions for referable disease. 2021 [cited 13 July 2023] Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/diabetic-eye-screening-retinal-image-grading-criteria/nhs-diabetic-eye-screening-programme-grading-definitions-for-referable-disease
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