How does plaquenil affect the eyes

Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis RA , lupus and other autoimmune diseases, either alone or as a part of combination therapy.

Unlike some of the other traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs DMARDs and biologics, it affects the immune response without suppressing the immune system or increasing the risk of infection. Hydroxychloroquine-related eye problems were once considered rare, but better detection methods now show that they occur in about 7 percent of patients.

The risk increases with a higher dose and longer therapy. Hydroxychloroquine is dosed according to body weight. An eye exam is recommended at the start of treatment to detect any existing vision problems; follow-up tests are needed to catch retinal damage in the earliest stages, before symptoms appear. As a result, all patients taking plaquenil should have an examination approximately every six months.

The macula should be examined through a dilated pupil. The incidence of Plaquenil related macular problems increases when approaching a dose of to mg. The average dose is mg. This is a very safe dose. Special tests can help find early damage to the retina before serious problems develop. How do ophthalmologists look for Plaquenil damage? Your ophthalmologist may use these tests to look for retina damage from Plaquenil: Visual field test : During this test you sit down and look into a bowl-like machine.

Small lights flash at different points inside the bowl. When you see the lights, you press a button. This test can help find if blind spots have developed in your field of vision. OCT imaging : This test makes a detailed, three-dimensional image of your eye.

Your ophthalmologist can use this image to look for early retinal damage. Multifocal ERG looks at cells in the retina called rods and cones. The test measures how well these cells respond to light. It can find retinal damage from Plaquenil.

Photos : A special camera takes pictures of the retina. Photos show damaged areas as small spots of light. Regular use of an Amsler grid is recommended as well. For more information about the link between Plaquenil and retinal problems, Elman Retina Group is a trusted resource with an extensive history of doing Plaquenil eye exams on a daily basis using the latest state of the art imaging modalities.

Call or email our team today. How Does Plaquenil Affect the Eyes? Factors that increase the risk of retinal damage from Plaquenil include the following: Being 60 years old or older Taking Plaquenil at high doses Taking Plaquenil for five years or more Losing a significant amount of weight while taking the medication Pre-existing kidney or liver disease Pre-existing retinal disease How To Protect Your Eyesight If you take Plaquenil for an autoimmune or inflammatory disorder, there are steps you can take to protect your eyes from complications.

Get Regular Eye Exams The most important thing you can do is see your ophthalmologist regularly for comprehensive dilated eye exams.