A retrospective evaluation of the effect of hydroxyquinine on RPE thickness.

Background: To investigate a possible structural difference in the retina of hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)-treated patients as an explanation for the protective effect of this medication against age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: In this retrospective study, we compared the mean thickness of the retinal outer band (consisting of the Bruch's membrane and retinal pigment epithelium layer), as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), of 54 eyes of 27 hydroxychloroquine-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients (study group), 40 eyes of 20 healthy similar aged individuals (control group I), and 22 eyes of 11 non-hydroxychloroquine-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients (control group II).

Results: The mean thicknesses of the outer band of the retinal pigment epithelium layer was 60.