Plaquenil Eye Exam

If you’re taking the medication hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®), routine eye exams are vital to ensure optimal eye health. At Rosenberg Eye Center Inc, in Miami, Tavernier, and Key West, Florida, board-certified ophthalmologists and surgeons Stanley Rosenberg, MD, and Peter Gomez, OD, offer Plaquenil eye exams to ensure your eyes remain healthy or detect potential concerns before they affect your vision. Schedule an exam by phone or online today.

What is a Plaquenil® eye exam?

Plaquenil®, also called hydroxychloroquine, is a medication used to treat certain medical conditions. Examples include some skin conditions, systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. 

If you take Plaquenil to manage a medical problem, it may cause side effects. For example, some people who take Plaquenil for more than five years or in high doses have a higher risk of damage to the retinas at the back of the eyes. This condition is known as retinal toxicity (retinopathy). 

Plaquenil eye exams can screen for eye damage to prevent vision loss. These exams help detect retinopathy in the earliest stages to avoid complications. You will need a Plaquenil eye exam within a year of starting hydroxychloroquine. 

What can I expect during a Plaquenil eye exam?

During a Plaquenil eye exam, your eye doctor discusses your medical history, reviews your medications and symptoms, and examines your eyes. They might widen your pupils using eye drops to obtain a more in-depth view of the entire eye.

Your provider also assesses your vision during a series of tests. You’ll undergo eye imaging procedures that take pictures of the inside of your eyes to assess overall eye health. Your eye doctor can screen for other eye diseases in addition to retinopathy.

If you need vision correction, Rosenberg Eye Center Inc offers eyeglasses and contact lenses. 

How often do I need a Plaquenil eye exam?

Your ophthalmologist determines how often you’ll need a Plaquenil eye exam based on how your last exam went and the dose of Plaquenil you’re taking. For example, you might need annual screenings to detect early signs of eye damage. 

You’ll need ongoing screening for eye problems until you stop taking Plaquenil. 

What happens if I develop retinopathy?

If your eyes show signs of mild retinopathy, ask your doctor about discontinuing Plaquenil or taking a lower dose. This is important to avoid further damage to your retina, as well as permanent vision loss. 

To manage a medical condition warranting Plaquenil use, you may be able to take a different medicine or undergo other treatments. 

Schedule routine Plaquenil eye exams at Rosenberg Eye Center Inc by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.