Retinal toxicity caused by hydroxychloroquine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report

Rationale: Hydroxychloroquine has excellent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects as one of the antimalarial drugs. In particular, hydroxychloroquine was once widely used as a treatment for the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic in 2020. Retinopathy caused by hydroxychloroquine is normally irreversible, but little attention has been paid to it.

Patient concerns: A 38-year-old young Chinese woman was taking oral hydroxychloroquine 400 mg daily to control lupus disease activity for six years after the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She did not have any history of eye disease and was admitted to the hospital with a sudden blurring of both eyes.

Diagnoses: The diagnosis of retinal macular degeneration caused by hydroxychloroquine was made after excluding other interfering diseases based on the patient's long-term use of hydroxychloroquine and the results of the eye examination.

Interventions: The patient was discontinued from hydroxychloroquine. To control the recurrence of SLE, she was given intravenous methylprednisolone, oral tacrolimus and mycophenolate. Meanwhile, she was asked to take extra care of her eyes and to come to the hospital every three months to have her vision checked.

Outcomes: The patient's blurred vision improved one week later. Three months later, her vision examination showed no further decline (0.4 in the right eye and 0.6 in the left eye). Meanwhile, the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) decreased from six points to five points currently.

Lessons: Retinopathy caused by hydroxychloroquine is irreversible and there is no particularly effective treatment. Discontinuation of hydroxychloroquine, better daily eye protection, and regular vision checks are the keys to preventing retinopathy. Although hydroxychloroquine causing retinal toxicity was mentioned several years ago, the rate and severity of retinal toxicity require further research. How to get more patients to take care of their eyes requires continuous and increased education by doctors.