Pigmentary retinopathy

Abstract

AbstractNumerous medications can cause pigmentary retinopathies (PR). Firstly, we discuss the retinal toxicity in patients taking quinolones (chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine), which are traditional antimalarial agents now used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Both medications bind to melanin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), altering normal physiologic function and developing a bilateral bull's‐eye maculopathy. PR has also been shown to be related to high dosages of typical antipsychotics, including chlorpromazine and specially thioridazine. The frequency of occurrence of retinal effects seems to be proportional to the total amount of drug used over a long period of time. Furthermore, deferoxamine, an iron‐chelating agent used to treat conditions with excessive serum iron levels, produces a toxicity which is reversible with drug cessation. Other drugs such as etetrinate, quinine, methoxyflurane, didanosine, and clofazimine can be implied in PR. Psychiatrists, ophthalmologists, rheumatologists and patients need to be aware of any medication‐induced PR. Early prevention and intervention can avoid most of the serious and potentially irreversible ocular toxicities.