Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is commonly used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, and while it's effective, it can also have side effects on your eyes. Long-term use of this medication can cause damage to your retina, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, detailed vision. This condition is called Plaquenil retinopathy, and it can lead to permanent vision loss if not caught early.

Here’s why regular follow-up visits with your eye doctor are essential:

• Early Detection of Retinal Damage: Plaquenil can cause toxicity to the retina, particularly the macula (the central part of the retina), leading to vision problems over time. Often, you won’t notice any symptoms until the damage is already significant. Routine eye exams allow us to detect subtle signs of retinal damage before you experience any vision loss.

• Advanced Imaging to Monitor Changes: During your follow-up visits, we use special tests and advanced imaging, like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and visual field tests, to examine the structure of your retina. These tests help us detect even the earliest signs of toxicity from Plaquenil, ensuring that we catch any issues before they become serious.

• Protecting Your Central Vision: The part of the retina affected by Plaquenil is responsible for your central vision, which you use for activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Regular check-ups help us protect this crucial part of your vision by adjusting your medication or coordinating with your prescribing doctor if we detect any changes.

• Monitoring Cumulative Risk: The risk of retinal toxicity increases with the total dose and duration of Plaquenil use. The longer you're on the medication, the more important these follow-up visits become. We’ll work with your prescribing doctor to weigh the benefits of staying on the medication versus the potential risk to your vision.

• Adjusting Treatment: If we detect any signs of toxicity or retinal changes, your eye doctor may recommend adjustments to your treatment plan. This could include lowering the dosage of Plaquenil or considering alternative medications to prevent further retinal damage.

• Prevention of Irreversible Vision Loss: The retinal damage caused by Plaquenil is often irreversible, which is why it’s so important to catch it early. Attending regular follow-up visits helps us prevent serious, long-term damage and preserve your vision as much as possible.