Does hydroxychloroquine mess with your eyes?

Does hydroxychloroquine mess with your eyes?

One of the most significant side effects of the drug is its possibility of causing eye problems resulting in blurred or decreased vision. The most common issue is damage to the retina. It can impair your color vision or damage the retinal cells, particularly in the area right around the central vision.

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.

Can hydroxychloroquine cause blindness?

“Eye damage due to Plaquenil is not common,” he says. “Rarely will anybody who has good vision and minimal symptoms develop loss of central vision or ability to read if annual screening is done and visual are symptoms reported as soon as they occur so the medication can be stopped if toxicity occurs.

Can hydroxychloroquine cause macular degeneration?

Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy causes destruction of macular rods and cones with sparing of foveal cones. This pattern provides the typical bullseye appearance. RPE migrates into the areas of destructed photoreceptors, causing pigment laden cells to be detected in the outer nuclear and outer plexiform layers.

What is the major toxic effect of hydroxychloroquine?

In our study, hydroxychloroquine toxic effects were associated with outer retinal changes on SD-OCT, ranging from loss of the ELM to loss of the IS/OS junction and thinning of the RPE with secondary exuberant hyperplastic pigmentary reaction.

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.

Can hydroxychloroquine retinopathy be reversed?

In general, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine retinopathy are not reversible, and even following drug cessation, cellular damage appears to continue for a certain period of time. However, the earlier the retinopathy is recognized, the greater the chance of visual preservation.

How common is hydroxychloroquine retinopathy?

The overall prevalence of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy was 7.5% but varied with daily consumption (odds ratio, 5.67; 95% CI, 4.14-7.79 for >5.0 mg/kg) and with duration of use (odds ratio, 3.22; 95% CI, 2.20-4.70 for >10 years).

How does chloroquine affect the eyes?

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 retinal detachment?

End stage hydroxychloroquine toxicity leads to widespread RPE and retinal atrophy with a loss of central vision, peripheral vision, and night vision.

What is the downside of taking hydroxychloroquine?

muscle weakness. unusual bleeding or bruising. bleaching or loss of hair. mood or mental changes.