VISUAL FUNCTION AND LONG-TERM CHLOROQUINE TREATMENT

Ophthalmic examinations and selected tests of visual function were per formed on 64 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had received daily doses of 200 mg chloroquine sulphate for periods ranging from 3 to 11 months. Visual fields were determined by Humphrey automated perimetry and Amsler grids and a further battery of four tests of macular funct ion (visual evoked potentials, critical flicker fusion threshold, Camb ridge contrast sensitivity and the macular dazzle test) were administe red. No case of retinal pigmentary abnormalities plus visual loss was found, but 2 patients were advised to cease chloroquine therapy on the basis of funduscopic findings. A small group of patients with relativ ely poor scores on one or more tests had normal visual fields and opht halmic findings. There were no significant partial correlations betwee n test results and the cumulative dose of chloroquine. These results s upport the opinion that currently recommended doses of chloroquine pos e a minimal risk of retinal toxicity.