T. Kara, M. Mäntyjärvi
May 1, 1963
Citations
0
Influential Citations
6
Citations
Journal
Acta Ophthalmologica
Abstract
Chloroquine (7-chlor-4-(4-diaethyl-amino-l-methyl-butylamino)-chinolin) was synthesized about twenty years ago. It has been used for antimalarial purposes, but recently also for treatment of collagenous diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis and disseminated lupus erythematosus. Besides its therapeutical action on the diseases mentioned, considerable side-effects have been observed, frequently also in the eyes. According to the literature, corneal changes have been observed in 33 to 7 7 per cent of the patients taking chloroquine (I., 5-9., 1 l . , 17.) whereas retinal changes are reported to be considerable less frequent (2.-4., 9., lo., 12.-16.). The changes observed in the cornea are in early stage punctate, later white or yellowish, striated or fan-shaped deposits generally appearing in the lower part of the cornea. They do not affect the visual acuity and usually disappear on termination of the treatment. The cases of retinopathy, on the other hand, have proved irreversible, and occur as a rule in association with decreased central visual acuity, and as central and peripheral changes in the visual field. Retinal oedema, and pigmentary disturbances in central or peripheral retina with attenuation of retinal arteries have been described. Most reports in the literature on eye complications caused by chloroquine include only a small total number of patients examined. Therefore, we have examined a large number of patients taking chloroquine and thus tried to get more information of the frequency of eye complications caused by this drug.