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Mark Elder, MD, FRANZCO; Anmar M. A. Rahman, MD; Jan McLay, NZCS

Arch Ophthalmol. 2006;124:1729-1733.

Objective  To review the natural history and ocular and systemic adverse effects of patients taking hydroxychloroquine sulfate who attended an ophthalmic screening program.

Design  Retrospective study.

Results  Records of 262 patients who were taking hydroxychloroquine and screened in the Department of Ophthalmology were reviewed. Of the 262 patients, 14 (18%) of 76 who had stopped treatment at the time of the study experienced documented adverse effects. Systemic adverse effects occurred in 8 patients (10.5%) and ocular adverse effects, in 5 (6.5%). Thirty-five patients (13.4%) had visual field abnormalities, which were attributed to hydroxychloroquine treatment in 4 patients (1.5%). Three of the 4 patients were taking less than 6.5 mg/kg per day and all patients had normal renal and liver function test results.

Conclusions  The current study used a protocol of visual acuity and color vision assessment, funduscopy, and Humphrey 10-2 visual field testing and shows that visual field defects appeared before any corresponding changes in any other tested clinical parameters; the defects were reproducible and the test parameters were reliable. Patients taking hydroxychloroquine can demonstrate a toxic reaction in the retina despite the absence of known risk factors. Screening, including Humphrey 10-2 visual field assessment, is recommended 2 years after the initial baseline and yearly thereafter.

Author Affiliations: Departments of Ophthalmology, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch (Dr Elder and Ms McLay), and Dunedin Hospital, Dunedin (Dr Rahman), New Zealand.

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