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A large medical specialty society for ophthalmologists recently updated its recommendations for the screening of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy.1
The recommendations from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) affect patients who may use CQ or HCQ for rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as some inflammatory and dermatologic conditions. The drugs are also used as anti-malarials. Retinopathy caused by these medications is not treatable, and toxicity can occur even after a patient has stopped using the agents.
The new guidelines were published in the June issue of the journal Ophthalmology.