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Macular ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer thickness for detection of early retinal toxicity of hydroxychloroquine

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Abstract

Purpose

This study evaluated the macular ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness using spectral-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with chronic exposure to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).

Methods

A total of 90 patients (90 eyes) treated with HCQ for at least 5 years and normal controls were included in the study. A fundus examination, automated threshold perimetry, and GC-IPL thickness measurements using the Cirrus high-definition OCT ganglion cell analysis algorithm were performed in all patients treated with HCQ. Average, minimum, and sectorial macular GC-IPL thicknesses were compared between the patients and controls.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in age or sex between the groups. The anterior segment and fundoscopy were normal in all patients and controls. Visual field (VF) testing was normal in all patients. The average, minimum, and sectorial macular GC-IPL thicknesses were significantly lower in patients than those in control subjects.

Conclusions

There was significant thinning of the macular GC-IPL in the absence of clinically evident HCQ-related retinopathy and VF abnormalities. Measurements of the macular GC-IPL thickness using SD-OCT may therefore be useful in the early diagnosis and in monitoring the progression of retinal changes in patients receiving long-term HCQ therapy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey

    Emrah Kan

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Ataturk State Hospital, Sinop, Turkey

    Konuralp Yakar

  3. Department of Rheumatology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey

    Mehmet Derya Demirag

  4. Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey

    Mustafa Gok

Authors
  1. Emrah Kan
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  2. Konuralp Yakar
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  3. Mehmet Derya Demirag
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  4. Mustafa Gok
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Konuralp Yakar.

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All authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

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Kan, E., Yakar, K., Demirag, M.D. et al. Macular ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer thickness for detection of early retinal toxicity of hydroxychloroquine. Int Ophthalmol 38, 1635–1640 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-017-0635-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-017-0635-y

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