ABSTRACT
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ, Plaquenil) is an analogue of chloroquine (CQ), an antimalarial agent, used for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Its use has been associated with severe retinal toxicity, requiring a discontinuation of therapy. Because it presents potential secondary effects including irreversible maculopathy, knowledge of incidence, risk factors, drug toxicity and protocol screening of the patients it represents important data for the ophthalmologists. Thus, it is imperative that rheumatologists, medical internists and ophthalmologists are aware of the toxicity from hydroxychloroquine they should also be careful to minimize its occurrence and effects.
Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases/drug therapy , Hydroxychloroquine/adverse effects , Macular Degeneration/chemically induced , Macular Degeneration/epidemiology , Macular Degeneration/pathology , Humans , Hydroxychloroquine/administration & dosage , Hydroxychloroquine/therapeutic use , Incidence , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
The early diagnosis and detection of progression are two key-elements in the actual management of glaucoma. The current opinion in clinical practice is to quantify the structural damage for a better follow-up of the patient and the standardization of the results. The present review is a concise survey of literature covering the period of 1990-2010, documenting the evidence-based role of confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in glaucoma diagnosis and management.
