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CORNEAL COMPLICATION OF CHLOROQUINE (ARALEN) PHOSPHATE THERAPY

1958; American Medical Association; Volume: 168; Issue: 17 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1001/jama.1958.63000170007012b

2376-8118

Robert W. Zeller,

Ocular Infections and Treatments

Alteration of the corneal epithelium causing blurred vision occurred in 10 patients taking chloroquine (Aralen) phosphate, which is currently being used for a variety of diseases including malaria, lupus erythematosus, arthritis, and infestation with intestinal parasites. Chloroquine has a low incidence of toxicity. However, the corneal changes resulting in some patients taking the drug lead to symptoms (haloes around lights and blurred vision) suggestive of glaucoma. The change in the corneal epithelium varied from diffuse discrete white depositions to yellowish discrete dots grouped at the level of the epithelium and Bowman's membrane. The configuration of the depositions was diffuse in some cases, but most were linear. The maximal involvement was usually in the central portion of the cornea, with the area just below the pupil showing the greatest concentration. Some of the patients did not have any complaints about their vision. However, four sought ophthalmological help because they saw haloes