Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is used in the treatment of rheumatologic diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. Besides reducing joint and skin inflammation, growing evidence shows other beneficial effects of HCQ, e.g. a positive effect on cardiovascular risk, pregnancy outcome, and flare reduction. In this review, we wish to emphasise "best practice" in the use of HCQ based on the present literature, to show the typical eye damage, which may occur, and to highlight which precautions should be made, so that retinal injury does not occur.