Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
07:50
A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
Published on: September 20, 2018
16.4K
CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FOUR CASES OF PRESUMED CHLOROQUINE RETINOPATHY
Brian P Hall1, Joanne Thomas2, Jiong Yan2
1Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; and.
Retinal Cases & Brief Reports
|October 28, 2025
Summary
Self-administered chloroquine (CQ) can cause retinal toxicity, even in malaria-endemic regions. Multimodal imaging reveals distinct degeneration patterns, highlighting public health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Chloroquine (CQ) is used for malaria and autoimmune diseases but is known to cause retinal toxicity.
- Limited modern literature details multimodal fundus imaging findings in CQ retinopathy.
- This study investigates presumed CQ retinopathy cases using multimodal imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe multimodal fundus imaging characteristics of presumed chloroquine retinopathy.
- To raise awareness about the risks of self-administered CQ, particularly in malaria-endemic areas.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series.
- Study period: 2015-2022.
- Cases seen at Emory Eye Center.
Main Results:
- Four male patients with presumed CQ retinopathy identified (median age 57).
- CQ use was linked to malaria-endemic regions; three cases involved self-administration.
- Optical coherence tomography showed outer band loss and foveal sparing.
- Fundus autofluorescence demonstrated a symmetric bull's-eye pattern; one case showed paravascular hyperautofluorescence.
Conclusions:
- Multimodal retinal imaging reveals characteristic patterns of CQ retinopathy not always apparent clinically.
- Findings underscore public health concerns regarding self-medication with CQ in malaria-endemic regions.
