Plaquenil Retinopathy
Baseline Eye Exam: A comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist within the first year of starting Plaquenil is recommended. This includes:
- Dilated fundus examination
- Spectral-domain OCT (optical coherence tomography) of the macula
- Automated visual field testing (10-2 or 24-2/30-2, based on patient ethnicity)
Annual Screening Tests:
- Spectral-domain OCT (to identify structural changes in the retina)
- Automated visual field testing (to detect functional changes in vision)
It’s essential for patients taking Plaquenil to follow these guidelines and maintain regular eye exams. Early detection of retinopathy allows for timely intervention and can help prevent irreversible vision loss.