TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy with multifocal electroretinography
AU - So, Scott C.
AU - Hedges, Thomas R.
AU - Schuman, Joel S.
AU - Quireza, Maria Luz Amaro
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the changes revealed by multifocal electroretinography (ERG) in patients taking hydroxychloroquine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six patients being treated for various inflammatory conditions with hydroxychloroquine for periods ranging from 8 months to 7 years were consecutively evaluated. Each examination included measurement of Snellen visual acuities, Amsler grid assessment, and automated visual field testing. In some cases, funduscopic examinations were complimented by photography and fluorescein angiography. Multifocal ERG was performed for all patients. RESULTS: Three patients (six eyes) were found to have distinctive abnormalities on multifocal ERG consisting of pericentral depression of ERG signals. The abnormalities on multifocal ERG corresponded with the patients' subjective descriptions and the visual field depiction of their pericentral scotomas. All affected patients had been taking hydroxychloroquine for at least 7 years. One patient with generalized depression on multifocal ERG had possible hydroxychloroquine retinopathy. Two patients (three eyes) had relatively normal results on multifocal ERG. CONCLUSION: Multifocal ERG objectively demonstrates depression of signals in the perifoveal region in visually symptomatic patients with longterm hydroxychloroquine use. Even patients with normal visual acuity and no fundus abnormalities can have abnormal results. Although we have not yet identified patients with abnormalities on multifocal ERG before the onset of symptoms, multifocal ERG may be useful in monitoring patients at risk and may provide an earlier opportunity to identify maculopathy.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the changes revealed by multifocal electroretinography (ERG) in patients taking hydroxychloroquine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six patients being treated for various inflammatory conditions with hydroxychloroquine for periods ranging from 8 months to 7 years were consecutively evaluated. Each examination included measurement of Snellen visual acuities, Amsler grid assessment, and automated visual field testing. In some cases, funduscopic examinations were complimented by photography and fluorescein angiography. Multifocal ERG was performed for all patients. RESULTS: Three patients (six eyes) were found to have distinctive abnormalities on multifocal ERG consisting of pericentral depression of ERG signals. The abnormalities on multifocal ERG corresponded with the patients' subjective descriptions and the visual field depiction of their pericentral scotomas. All affected patients had been taking hydroxychloroquine for at least 7 years. One patient with generalized depression on multifocal ERG had possible hydroxychloroquine retinopathy. Two patients (three eyes) had relatively normal results on multifocal ERG. CONCLUSION: Multifocal ERG objectively demonstrates depression of signals in the perifoveal region in visually symptomatic patients with longterm hydroxychloroquine use. Even patients with normal visual acuity and no fundus abnormalities can have abnormal results. Although we have not yet identified patients with abnormalities on multifocal ERG before the onset of symptoms, multifocal ERG may be useful in monitoring patients at risk and may provide an earlier opportunity to identify maculopathy.
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U2 - 10.3928/1542-8877-20030501-20
DO - 10.3928/1542-8877-20030501-20
M3 - Article
C2 - 12757106
AN - SCOPUS:77949854464
SN - 1542-8877
VL - 34
SP - 251
EP - 258
JO - Ophthalmic Surgery Lasers and Imaging
JF - Ophthalmic Surgery Lasers and Imaging
IS - 3
ER -