Assessment of hydroxychloroquine maculopathy after cessation of treatment: an optical coherence tomography and multifocal electroretinography study

Marilita M Moschos,1 Eirini Nitoda,1 Irini P Chatziralli,1 Zisis Gatzioufas,2 Chryssanthi Koutsandrea,1 George Kitsos3 1First Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 2Swiss Eye Research Foundation, Orasis Eye Clinic, Reinach, Switzerland; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the macular status of patients treated with hydroxychloroquine before and after cessation of treatment.Methods: Forty-two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus underwent ocular examination based on visual acuity evaluation, optical coherence tomography retinal thickness measurements, and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) records at first visit. The tests were repeated 6 months after treatment withdrawal and compared to the findings at their first visit.Results: Mean visual acuity (measured in log minimum angle of resolution) of both eyes was statistically increased after hydroxychloroquine discontinuation (difference in means: 0.06 [P