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Papers And Originals

Chloroquine: Ophthalmological Safety, and Clinical Assessment in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Br Med J 1968; 3 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.3.5618.579 (Published 07 September 1968) Cite this as: Br Med J 1968;3:579
  1. S. P. B. Percival,
  2. I. Meanock

    Abstract

    272 patients on long-term chloroquine therapy were assessed with respect to ocular toxicity and clinical benefit. A simple scheme for rendering patients ophthalmologically safe is presented, employing the recording of central fields to red targets. Under this it was possible to diagnose a state of premaculopathy, which was reversible on stopping treatment. The incidence of premaculopathy was 41% in 143 patients who otherwise displayed no abnormality of the fundus oculi and who had received a mean total dose of 410 g. of chloroquine phosphate or the hydroxychloroquine sulphate equivalent. Under this joint ophthalmological and rheumatological supervision it was considered that the minor side-effects that may be caused by chloroquine are outweighed by its therapeutic value.