PREFERENTIAL HYPERACUITY PERIMETRY TO DETECT HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE RETINAL TOXICITY

Abstract

To determine if Preferential Hyperacuity Perimetry (PHP) testing can detect the presence of retinal toxicity due to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) or chloroquine administration. Fifteen patients were divided into three groups. Five patients had confirmed HCQ or chloroquine toxicity, five patients had suspected HCQ toxicity, and five patients had history of long-term use of HCQ or chloroquine but no evidence of toxicity. All patients underwent PHP testing. All patients with either known or suspected toxicity based upon standardized visual field testing and/or fluorescein angiography demonstrated significant hyperacuity defects on PHP testing. None of the patients on long-term HCQ therapy, without clinical suspicion of toxicity, demonstrated a PHP hyperacuity defect. Results of this pilot study with patients with known or suspected HCQ or chloroquine toxicity suggest that PHP may be a useful adjunct for testing of patients suspicious for toxicity due to these medications. Further testing is warranted.