Holding a BS in biomedical science from Wake Forest University, Donnie Rhett Koonce serves as an ophthalmic assistant at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates. Donnie Rhett Koonce has conducted research on a variety of eye conditions including hydroxychloroquine retinopathy and syphilitic retinopathy.
Hydroxychloroquine, with the brand name Plaquenil, is a drug that is used for treating skin inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, malaria, and systemic lupus erythematosus. This drug can cause serious side effects, such as retinal toxicity, so patients and physicians should be aware of this risk and watch for symptoms. Essentially, an ophthalmologist will evaluate the patient before treatment with hydroxychloroquine is initiated.
Sometimes called hydroxychloroquine retinopathy, hydroxychloroquine-induced retinal toxicity often doesn’t show any signs upon taking the drug initially. In some patients, however, early signs include the appearance of a dark spot or other interruption in the visual field (scotoma), which can affect reading and color vision. Most other patients start noticing this only after the scotoma has become severe. If left untreated, hydroxychloroquine retinopathy can cause loss of visual acuity, peripheral vision deficit, and night blindness.
Donnie Rhett Koonce 