OCULAR TOXICITY OF ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS - LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP

Ocular studies were performed to determine long-term retinotoxic effects on 51 patients receiving high-dosage antimalarial drugs for as long as seven years. Patients who manifested macular changes consistent with chloroquine retinopathy had their medication stopped and follow-up studies were performed. The majority showed no further macular change; some returned to normal, whereas others showed progressive maculopathy. Another test of retinal function, macular recovery time following exposure to a bright light (photostress test), was found to be significantly increased. A small group of patients who showed a lower than normal light-induced rise in the corneoretinal potential at the time medication was stopped went on to develop progressive retinal changes. © 1968.