Hydroxychloroquine requires monitoring of the eyes with appointments how often?

• A. Every 3 months
• B. Every 6 months
• C. Every 6-12 months
• D. Every year

Answer: (C)

Hydroxychloroquine can cause retinal toxicity that may be irreversible, so regular eye checks are essential to catch early changes before vision is affected. Because retinal damage tends to develop slowly, the monitoring approach aims to detect problems without overburdening the patient. A baseline eye exam is typical when starting therapy, followed by follow-up examinations at intervals of six months to a year. For most patients, yearly screening is standard, but those with higher risk—such as longer duration of use, higher daily dose, kidney or liver issues, older age, or existing eye problems—may need visits closer to every six months. So the general, appropriate interval is every six to twelve months.