Hydroxychloroquine Treatment and the Eye

The eyes of 63 patients, age range 28 to 79 years, affected by rheumatoid arthritis and undergoing long-term hydroxychloroquine treatment were followed from 3 to 95 months. The daily dose of hydroxychloroquine was 300 mg, and after 5 months there was a pause of one month in the treatment. The total amount of hydroxychloroquine received ranged between 27 and 630 g. In the eye examination only one patient had corneal changes, and another patient had suspected retinal damage. This is in agreement with earlier studies. Hydroxychloroquine seems to be a safe alternative among the antimalarial drugs as far as eyes are concerned.