What is chloroquine maculopathy?
Chloroquine retinopathy. Specialty. Ophthalmology. Chloroquine retinopathy, is a form of toxic retinopathy (damage of the retina) caused by the drugs chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, which are sometimes used in the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Does chloroquine cause eye problems?
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and chloroquine cause ocular toxicity to various parts of the eye such as the cornea, ciliary body, and retina. Chloroquine can also induce cataract formation; however, no reports of hydroxychloroquine and cataract have been reported.
Can hydroxychloroquine cause eye problems?
Plaquenil binds to retinal pigment cells, causing adverse changes in vision that occur slowly over time. Objects may start to appear blurry or distorted. In the most serious cases of Plaquenil-induced retinal toxicity, the macula is completely destroyed.
Can hydroxychloroquine cause blurred vision?
As with all medicines, some people may experience side effects from taking hydroxychloroquine. The most important side effect of hydroxychloroquine is on the eye. Blurred vision may occur in the first few weeks after starting hydroxychloroquine. This usually returns to normal even when you continue taking the tablets.
How long can you safely take hydroxychloroquine?
You may continue to get better for up to 1 year. Most people who take Plaquenil also take other medicines for pain and stiffness.
What are the long-term effects of taking hydroxychloroquine?
Long-term use and high doses of hydroxychloroquine are risk factors for the development of cardiomyopathy. Cardiac failure, conduction disorders (including QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes) and sudden cardiac death are consequences of the cardiomyopathy.
How does hydroxychloroquine cause blindness?
It’s generally safe at normal doses, but higher amounts can damage the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, and result in partial or complete blindness.
Does chloroquine cause retinopathy?
Chloroquine retinopathy (CR) is a severe form of retinal toxicity caused by long-term use of chloroquine with an incidence of 1–16%. Retinal photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium have been postulated as the primary sites of involvement in chloroquine retinopathy.
Is eye damage from hydroxychloroquine reversible?
[6] HCQ retinopathy is not reversible and cellular damage may progress for a number of years even after the drug is stopped. Therefore, it is essential to continue following the patient appropriately.
Is Plaquenil toxicity reversible?
No treatment to reverse chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine toxicity. Recommend cessation of the medication, but visual function rarely recovers, especially in the later stages of the disease.
Does hydroxychloroquine cause anxiety?
Hydroxychloroquine may potentially result in adverse effects on the central nervous system, mainly irritability, nervousness, emotional changes, nightmares, and even true psychoses [3, 4].
Can I stop taking hydroxychloroquine?
Do not stop taking it without talking with your doctor, especially if you are taking it for malaria. It is important to continue taking this for the length of time prescribed. Stopping prevention or treatment too soon may lead to infection or a return of the infection.