What is the most common ocular side effect associated with Chloroquine?

What is the most common ocular side effect associated with Chloroquine?

• A. Whorl keratopathy
• B. Bull's eye maculopathy
• C. Retinal detachment
• D. Cataracts

Answer: (A)

Chloroquine commonly causes corneal changes known as vortex keratopathy or whorl keratopathy. This results from drug deposition in the corneal epithelium and appears as a characteristic whorl-like pattern on exam. These corneal deposits are typically harmless and often asymptomatic, and they may improve if the drug is stopped, though they can persist with ongoing therapy. In contrast, retinal toxicity presenting as bull's-eye maculopathy is more serious, less common, and usually linked to long-term, high-dose use, potentially causing irreversible central vision loss. Cataracts and retinal detachment are not typical ocular side effects of chloroquine.

Chloroquine commonly causes corneal changes known as vortex keratopathy or whorl keratopathy. This results from drug deposition in the corneal epithelium and appears as a characteristic whorl-like pattern on exam. These corneal deposits are typically harmless and often asymptomatic, and they may improve if the drug is stopped, though they can persist with ongoing therapy. In contrast, retinal toxicity presenting as bull's-eye maculopathy is more serious, less common, and usually linked to long-term, high-dose use, potentially causing irreversible central vision loss. Cataracts and retinal detachment are not typical ocular side effects of chloroquine.