Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy of the OPKO SLO/SD-OCT microperimetry in detecting hydroxychloroquine toxicity by comparing changes in sensitivity with retinal changes found on SD-OCT and multifocal electroretinography.
Methods:
Seven patients on long term hydroxychloroquine therapy and three normal patients were clinically evaluated by (i) complete ophthalmologic examination, (ii) fundus photography, (iii) spectral density ocular coherence tomography with SLO microperimetry (OPKO/OTI), and (iv) mfERG (Veris).
Results:
In patients with fundus, SD-OCT, and mfERG changes (n=3) loss of sensitivity in the macular region was detected by microperimetry. Microperimetry abnormalities topographically correlated with structural changes of the photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction and thinning of the outer nuclear layer found on SD-OCT. The average retinal sensitivities collected by the SLO microperimetry were also compared to the mfERG results demonstrating corresponding areas of reduced responses.
Conclusions:
Microperimetry provided complementary results to the mfERG and appeared to be able to detect abnormalities in retinal function in patients with hydroxychloroquine toxicity. Microperimetry may be another useful and less invasive objective method for detecting and monitoring subclinical changes in patients on hydroxychloroquine therapy.
Keywords: drug toxicity/drug effects • electroretinography: clinical • imaging/image analysis: clinical