Electrophysiologic findings in chloroquine maculopathy.

PURPOSE

To describe an interesting case with a typical chloroquine bull's eye maculopathy with important results of the electrophysiological tests and verify if any reduction of focal responses, detected in multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG), are congruent with any possible defects detected in the visual field.

CASE REPORT

A 59-year-old man took a daily dosage of 250 mg chloroquine for his rheumatoid arthritis (up to a total dose of 540 g). He had the typical chloroquine-induced bull's-eye maculopathy. The electro-oculogram was normal. The mfERG, demonstrated reduced focal responses in the areas corresponding to the scotoma detected in the visual field.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the normality of the electro-oculogram, we can easily conclude that the electro-oculogram is not sensible to detect chloroquine maculopathy and that reported reductions may occur due to the course of the rheumatoid arthritis itself. The mfERG may be an important ophthalmological screening and follow-up management to investigate patients using chloroquine.