DR. AAMINA SHAH

Dr.Asif Amin Vakil

Abstract

Hydroxychloroquine(HCQ) used in the treatment of various connective tissues diseases and now as a prophylaxis for covid 19 virus , has been associated with the development of retinopathy. 207 patients including 112 cases and 95 controls were subjected to OCT and perimetry apart from comprehensive ophthalmic examination. All the patients were asymptomatic. Upon comparing the retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, macular thickness and ganglion cell layer thickness it was found that there was significant decrease in all these parameters in those using HCQ as compared to normal controls. However perimetry showed no significant visual field defects. Moreover, decrease in the retinal thickness parameters showed a negative correlation with total daily dose, duration of therapy, dose per kg body weight and cummulative dose of HCQ. We concluded that OCT is a valuable tool in detecting early HCQ retinopathy given its non invasiveness, shorter acquisition time and greater objectivity.