Unmet needs and future perspectives in hydroxychloroquine retinopathy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment can cause retinopathy, a serious toxic effect.
• Early detection of HCQ retinopathy is vital to prevent irreversible vision loss.
• Current screening methods face challenges in identifying early-stage HCQ retinopathy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize existing knowledge gaps in hydroxychloroquine retinopathy.
• To identify unmet needs in clinical practice and research.
• To guide future directions for screening and research.

Main Methods:

• Perspective article.
• Literature review and synthesis of current clinical practices and research.
• Identification of challenges in early detection and management.

Main Results:

• Significant challenges persist in the early detection of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy.
• There is a lack of established treatments beyond drug cessation.
• Knowledge gaps exist regarding optimal screening protocols and understanding the disease mechanism.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed to improve early detection and understanding of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy.
• Addressing unmet needs in clinical practice is essential for better patient outcomes.
• This perspective aims to inform and direct future efforts in managing HCQ toxicity.