Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis
Published on: August 29, 2025
When annual screening is lost in long-term hydroxychloroquine users: Three illustrative cases
1Department of Ophthalmology, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Purpose:
To illustrate the clinical consequences of prolonged loss to follow-up for annual screening in long-term hydroxychloroquine users through representative cases of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy.
Observations:
Three Korean women with systemic lupus erythematosus who had received hydroxychloroquine 200 mg daily for 12-20 years were evaluated after being lost to recommended annual retinal screening for 4-6 years. All patients showed pericentral retinopathy but were asymptomatic. Fundus autofluorescence demonstrated pericentral abnormalities ranging from localized temporal hyperautofluorescence to extensive pericentral hypoautofluorescence. Despite prompt discontinuation of hydroxychloroquine, follow-up imaging showed progression with expansion of abnormal pericentral autofluorescence in all cases.
Conclusions And Importance:
These cases highlight that interruption of annual screening in long-term hydroxychloroquine users may allow silent progression to advanced retinopathy, which can continue despite cessation of therapy. The findings underscore the critical importance of sustained adherence to screening recommendations, particularly in patients with risk factors.
