Amplified HCQ Retinal Toxicity in a Patient With an LRAT Mutation

Case Study: A heterozygous LRAT mutation may have contributed to progressive retinal degeneration following HCQ exposure.

By: Mohan Bhadriraju, MD, Damla Oncel, MD, Mathew W. MacCumber, MD, PhD

Retinal Physician June 2, 2026

Clinical Scorecard: Amplified HCQ Retinal Toxicity in a Patient With an LRAT Mutation

At a Glance

Category	Detail
Condition
Key Mechanisms	Remove unsupported claims about vitamin A metabolism.
Target Population
Care Setting

Key Highlights

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Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

Management

Monitoring & Follow-up

Risks

Patient & Prescribing Data

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Clinical Best Practices

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Related Resources & Content

Visual cycle modulation as an approach toward preservation of retinal integrity

Mohan Bhadriraju, MD

Specialties: Ophthalmology

Bio: Mohan Bhadriraju, MD, is a medical doctor specializing in ophthalmology with a focus on retinal diseases. He has contributed to research investigating the genetic and pharmacologic factors influencing retinal toxicity, including cases involving hydroxychloroquine retinal toxicity and mutations affecting the visual cycle enzyme LRAT. His work highlights the complex interaction between genetic predispositions and drug exposures in the pathophysiology of retinal disorders.

Damla Oncel, MD

Specialties: Ophthalmology

Bio: Damla Oncel, MD, is a medical doctor specializing in retinal diseases. She has contributed to research on hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-associated retinal toxicity, particularly examining the genetic factors that may amplify risk, such as mutations in the LRAT gene involved in the visual cycle. Her work highlights the interaction between pharmacologic exposure to immunomodulating drugs and genetic predisposition to retinal degeneration. This focus situates her expertise within medical retina and genetic influences on ocular conditions.