2.3. Follow-Up Time Line
toxicity, HCQ-induced retinal maculopathy, drusen
DRUSEN, ADVERSE EFFECT, ADVERSE EFFECTS, INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE
All the participants underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including visual acuity (recorded as decimal score), intraocular pressure, anterior and posterior segment inspection and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for measuring central macular thickness. Since one of the first signs of macular toxicity of HCQ is a reduction of red light sensitivity, during the follow-ups, all participants underwent visual field testing conducted as macular visual fields of red/white. Macular fields were evaluated using the macular perimeter software in the Macular OCT HS-100 (Canon Inc, Tokyo, Japan). The number and volume of existing drusen were assessed by red-free fundus imaging. Participants were examined at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months following the initiation of treatment. The follow-up was extended to 12 months following completion of treatment (up to two years after the beginning of the study), to ascertain the lack of HCQ-induced retinal maculopathy or another influence or adverse effect. All participants underwent extensive rheumatologic assessment and follow-ups, and any systemic adverse effects were also assessed.