Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) Maculopathy: What Is It and Are You At Risk?

Your central vision is essential for almost everything you do—imagine what life would be like without it.

Unfortunately, people on long-term Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) therapy are at higher risk of developing an eye condition that damages their central vision, known as Plaquenil maculopathy.

In this article, we’ll explore what Plaquenil maculopathy is, who is most at risk, and how it’s managed.

Source: https://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/eyeforum/atlas/pages/Hydroxychloroquine-toxicity/index.htm

What is Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) maculopathy?

Plaquenil maculopathy, also known as Plaquenil retinopathy or hydroxychloroquine toxicity, is an eye condition that occurs when the macula—the part of your eye responsible for central vision—becomes damaged as a result of taking Plaquenil.

Who is at risk of developing Plaquenil maculopathy?

The main risk factors for developing Plaquenil maculopathy include:

• Taking Plaquenil for five or more years.

• Using higher-than-recommended doses of Plaquenil.

• Having an existing retinal disease while taking Plaquenil.

How is Plaquenil toxicity monitored and diagnosed

If you're taking Plaquenil, it's essential to have your eyes examined as follows:

• A baseline eye exam should be completed before starting Plaquenil treatment.

• While on Plaquenil, annual testing should include a 10-2 visual field (VF) test and macular OCT to monitor your eye health.

• This becomes especially important after five years of treatment, as the risk of retinal damage increases.

Plaquenil maculopathy is diagnosed by evaluating:

• The appearance of the macula.

• Macular thickness using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

• Central visual field results.

At Northlake Eye, we offer comprehensive Plaquenil workups that include all of these tests to monitor and protect your vision.

Source: https://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/eyeforum/atlas/pages/Hydroxychloroquine-toxicity/index.htm

Plaquenil maculopathy treatment

At the first signs of Plaquenil maculopathy, stopping the medication is crucial to prevent further damage and vision loss.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Plaquenil maculopathy once it develops, making prevention and early detection the most effective approach to protect your vision.

Concerned you may have or be at risk of having Plaquenil maculopathy?

Schedule an eye exam with one of our doctors of optometry today!

Give us a call or simply schedule online: Northlake Mall | Concord Mills | Biltmore Park | Asheville Mall