Plaquenil Therapy Evaluations

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Protect Your Vision While Taking Plaquenil

People who have been prescribed Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or malaria need to pay special attention to their vision.

Vision loss is a rare but serious possible risk of taking Plaquenil, especially for those who have taken the drug for more than 5 years.

We provide baseline evaluations and ongoing testing for people on Plaquenil so we can detect any changes in vision as soon as possible. If eye complications are discovered due to Plaquenil, we will work with your health care team to find a suitable alternative medication for your particular health condition in hopes to prevent further permanent vision loss.

What Is Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) & How Does it Affect My Eyes?

Plaquenil is the brand name for a drug called hydroxychloroquine. It was originally developed as a malaria treatment. More recently, it has been used to treat autoimmune conditions, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

In rare cases, Plaquenil can cause irreversible damage to the macula or retina, particularly after many years of use. If you’re on this drug, it’s very important to have regular eye exams that include diagnostic imaging.

See both your eye doctor and rheumatologist immediately if you notice any changes to your vision so your eyes can be assessed and your medication stopped, if needed.

What to Expect in Your Plaquenil Evaluation

A baseline exam prior to starting Plaquenil lets us know what’s normal for your eyes.

In this exam, we’ll use diagnostic imaging to create a detailed record of the health and structure of your eyes. We’ll dilate your pupils, which provides us the best possible view inside your eyes.

Your exam includes:

How Often Should I Have an Eye Exam?

After your baseline exam, we’ll likely want to see you every 9 to 12 months to check your eyes and ensure your vision is still in good shape.

If you’ve been on Plaquenil for 5 or more years, we might recommend a more frequent schedule.

If you notice any new visual symptoms, book an appointment with us right away and contact your physician immediately.

Vision loss from Plaquenil is rare, but it’s still important to be aware of symptoms and report them to your optometrist and rheumatologist right away.

Symptoms include:

  • Any change in your vision
  • Seeing a shimmering ring of light
  • Change in central vision

Visit Us

Our Address

  • 2093 2nd Avenue
  • Whitehorse, YT
    Y1A 1B5

Our Contacts

Find us in downtown Whitehorse across from the Yukon Visitor Information Centre, just steps from Main Street and the Yukon River.

For your convenience, we are wheelchair accessible.

Hours of Operation

  • Monday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

Hours of operation may vary on holidays.

Our Testimonials

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