AAO Updates HCQ Retinopathy Guidance - Takeaways - MDSpire

AAO Updates HCQ Retinopathy Guidance

Updated recommendations emphasize dosing limits and screening for toxicity risk.

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • April 23, 2026

  • 3 min

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  • 1

    Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy risk is low with recommended dosing and appropriate screening, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

  • 2

    Updated guidelines emphasize early detection and risk factors for HCQ retinopathy, particularly in long-term female users.

  • 3

    Recommended screening modalities include optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence, with additional confirmatory tests.

  • 4

    The risk of HCQ toxicity is under 1% at doses ≤5 mg/kg/day within 5 years, increasing with higher doses and longer use.

  • 5

    Annual screening is advised during therapy, but can be deferred for up to 5 years in patients without major risk factors.

Original Source(s)

AAO Updates HCQ Retinopathy Guidance

  • by Andrea Surnit

  • April 23, 2026

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