Optical coherence tomography in hydroxychloroquine retinopathy: two observational case reports
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Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Doppler Optical Coherence Tomography of Retinal Circulation
Published on: September 18, 2012
Florence Fontaine1, Marie Benedicte Rougier, Jean Francois Korobelnik
1From the Department of Ophthalmology, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France.
Purpose:
To describe the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in two cases of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy.
Methods:
Two patients with hydroxychloroquine retinopathy at the bull's eye stage were identified. Each patient underwent rigorous historical questioning to rule out known causes of macular atrophy and to determine contributing factors. Comprehensive ocular examination was performed, including dilated biomicroscopic examination of the macula and indirect ophthalmoscopic evaluation of the retinal periphery. Additional evaluation included fundus color photography with fluorescein angiography and OCT.
Results:
Both patients had a medical history of arthritis treated by hydroxychloroquine (Nivaquine; total dose, 365 g). At the bull's eye stage, OCT confirms the presence of macular atrophy, as shown in our two cases. The retinal atrophy seems to be related to the whole thickness of the retinal layers.
Conclusion:
We report the OCT findings of two cases of macular atrophy associated with hydroxychloroquine retinopathy.
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