Evaluation of Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy Using Ultra-Widefield Fundus Autofluorescence: Peripheral Findings in the Retinopathy

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the application of ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence (UWF-FAF) imaging in evaluating hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy and to report peripheral autofluorescence findings in Asian patients with this condition.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Setting: institutional.

Patient population: 58 eyes of 29 patients with HCQ retinopathy.

Observation procedures: UWF-FAF imaging was performed, and the images were compared to conventional FAF images obtained using a confocal digital ophthalmoscope. The sensitivities of detecting retinopathy using the 2 modalities were compared. Peripheral autofluorescence findings in the eyes with HCQ retinopathy were assessed, and their association with the Humphrey visual field test results obtained using the 30-2 and full-field 120 (FF-120) protocols was analyzed. Main outcome measurements were abnormal FAF findings.

Results: In 41 of 58 eyes (70.7%) with HCQ retinopathy, abnormal FAF findings were noted in the retinal periphery outside the field of view of conventional FAF as hypoautofluorescent (23 eyes, 39.7%) and hyperautofluorescent (38 eyes, 65.5%) lesions. In 5 eyes (8.6%), differences were revealed between conventional FAF and UWF-FAF in detecting retinopathy. Most of the eyes with severe retinopathy showed the most extensive hypoautofluorescence in the nasal peripheral retina. The areas with abnormal FAF findings were significantly correlated with the number of unseen spots on FF-120 results and mean deviation and pattern standard deviation of the 30-2 test results (all P < .001).

Conclusions: Peripheral autofluorescence findings varied in eyes with HCQ retinopathy according to the severity of the retinopathy. The retinal findings with UWF-FAF were functionally correlated to visual field results. UWF-FAF may be useful for evaluating HCQ retinopathy, particularly in Asian patients.