Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy

[maiscoeliac]

I've recently been prescibed this drug and was told by the rheumatologist to get my eyes tested at the opticians; but the optician told me it had to be done in a hospital eye department. When I called the rheumatology department back they told me the optician was wrong.

BUT I've done some research and the optician was right. This is from the NICE website here bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

The Royal College of Opthalmologists report contains this statment "For patients already taking hydroxychloroquine, it should be explained that new guidance has been issued on screening for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy, as above. Such patients should seek referral to the hospital eye service for the specific purpose of hydroxychloroquine screening if this has not already been undertaken."

It seems that the rheumatology departments in some hospitals are slow in catching up with the new guidelines. I'm going to go to my GP and ask her to refer me to the opthalmology department at the hospital.

I'll let you know how I get on!

[maiscoeliac]

Hi SBM (if I may call you that!), thanks for your reply. I'm on 400mg daily for 3months and then 200mg daily. It would be nice if I could cut back to 3 doses of 200mg a week eventually! I'll have to see how I get on; I suspect I may have to be on it long term. I've only been on it for a few weeks, my dry mouth is a bit better on & off. No other changes yet.

I just wanted really to make sure that people on it are aware of the need for eye tests at the hospital rather than an optician.

[maiscoeliac]

The RCO only say yearly checks are necessary if there are other factors involved, such a patients on Tamoxifen. A baseline check is all I'm after, then at 5 years if I'm still on it. I don't know where you are but in Britain as far as I know you can only see an opthalmologist in a hospital eye department.

[maiscoeliac]

Ah, I see! I hadn't thought about a private opthalmologist. My GP is quite good but I didn't have much confidence in the consultant rheumatologist. Good luck!