Toxic retinopathies are most frequently induced by external stimulants (e.g. nicotine, poppers, methanol) and are less frequently undesired side effects of systemic drugs (e.g. hydroxychloroquine, ethambutol, MEK, ERK, FLT3 or checkpoint inhibitors, didanosine, pentosan polysulfate sodium) or intravitreally applied drugs. The clinical symptoms of undesired side effects of drugs are often similar to retinal diseases from other causes, which interferes with the recognition of the undesired side effects of drugs. Clinical findings, pathophysiological mechanisms and if advisable strategies for screening are discussed. The focus is on the presentation of confirmed undesirable side effects with established associations for medications which have long been approved. For novel medications, in addition potential but not proven associations are presented to facilitate the recognition of additional cases with side effects for these medications.
Keywords: Hydroxychloroquine; Nicotine; Retina; Toxicity; Undesired medicinal side effects.