Mohammad Mateen Amir, Ilyas Rafi.
Ocular Affects of Hydroxychloroquine Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.
Proceeding Shaikh Zayed Postgrad Med Comp Jan ;23(2):47-9.

Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug which is used as a part of combination DMARD therapy in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis. Eye toxicity because of the accumulation of the drug in the Retina is the most serious adverse effect. The purpose of this study is to detect ocular affects of hydroxychloroquine treatment in low risk patients (without renal or liver disease) for longer duration. Material and Methods: Sixty two patients were studied who were taking hydroxychloroquine 200mg/day, after every six months. Best corrected visual acuity, color vision testing with ishihra chart, Amsler grid testing, slit lamp examination and fundus examination using 90D was done on each visit. Automated perimetry and ocular coherence tomography was done in suspected patients. The duration of treatment was four years. The patients selected were not having any renal or hepatic disease. Those suffering from diabetes mellitis were also excluded. The age limit was up to sixty year. Results: Out of sixty two patients studied over a period of seven years, only forty eight patients got their follow up examination completed for four years. All patients were females. Two patients suspected after amsler grid testing were further investigated with automated perimetry and ocular coherence tomography. These patients were found normal. Treatment in these patients was continued for four years. Conclusion: The recommended dose of Hydroxychloroquine 200mg/day given in RA patients is safe in low risk patients for a period of as long as four years.

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