Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSignsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Bull’s-eye maculopathy can appear at any age, and lead to mild or more seriousvision lossthat’s usually irreversible.
This article provides an overview of bull’s-eye maculopathy and the conditions that can cause it.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Signs of Bull’s-Eye Maculopathy
Bull’s-eye maculopathy is not actually a diagnosis but rather a description of how the back of the eyeball looks when there’s been damage from eye conditions or use of certain prescription medications.
To detect signs of bull’s-eye maculopathy during an eye exam, a healthcare professional will look for:
People experiencing damage to the retina and macula may notice signs, including vision changes, such as:
Some people with bull’s-eye maculopathy may not experience any symptoms at all, especially in the early stages. Over time, though, the damage can become more severe and eventually lead to vision loss.
Looking for Warning SignsBull’s-eye maculopathy isn’t something you can notice in the mirror. Instead, you’ll need an eye examination to determine that it’s there. Be aware of vision changes, though, such as no longer being able to read the time on a digital clock, losing color vision, or having trouble seeing at night. Contact an eye specialist, if accessible to you, for an examination and treatment.
Looking for Warning Signs
Bull’s-eye maculopathy isn’t something you can notice in the mirror. Instead, you’ll need an eye examination to determine that it’s there. Be aware of vision changes, though, such as no longer being able to read the time on a digital clock, losing color vision, or having trouble seeing at night. Contact an eye specialist, if accessible to you, for an examination and treatment.
There can be many different causes of bull’s-eye maculopathy, including conditions like:
Prescription drugs can also cause bull’s-eye maculopathy in some cases.Hydroxychloroquineor chloroquine toxicity, when used in higher doses or for longer periods of time, can become toxic to the eyes and lead to bull’s-eye maculopathy. These drugs are typically used to treat malaria and certainautoimmune diseases(likelupusandrheumatoid arthritis) and can cause irreversible damage to the retina and vision loss.
It’s also possible for bull’s-eye maculopathy to be present in people who do not have any of the above conditions. In these cases, experts do not know the exact cause, but it may be genetic. Many differenttypes of maculopathies(a general term describing diseases that cause damage to the retina) are passed down from parent to child.
To detect bull’s-eye maculopathy, they will perform tests such as:
Experts recommend preventive care as the best treatment approach. This includes tips such as:
Hydroxychloroquine UseThe American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that anyone who has been prescribed hydroxychloroquine get an eye exam before starting the drug. A follow-up eye screening is recommended five years later, with yearly eye exams after that.
Hydroxychloroquine Use
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that anyone who has been prescribed hydroxychloroquine get an eye exam before starting the drug. A follow-up eye screening is recommended five years later, with yearly eye exams after that.
Each case of bull’s-eye maculopathy is different, based on the underlying health condition that causes it and the extent of damage and vision loss that’s occurred.
Summary
Bull’s-eye maculopathy describes the appearance of damage on the retina that can result from different eye conditions or use of certain drugs that suppress the immune system. Bull’s-eye maculopathy is only detectable during an eye exam. Its appearance is similar to a target’s bull’s-eye ring and is located at the back of the eyeball. It can appear at any age and cause mild or more severe vision loss that is usually not reversible.
A Word From Verywell
Regular eye examsare important for early detection of any eye or vision issues, including bull’s-eye maculopathy. Contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible after any vision changes. While they may not be able to fully restore your vision, they will be able to monitor you for signs of further eye damage so that you can continue to live a safe and productive life.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Modi YS, Singh RP.Bull’s eye maculopathy associated with hydroxychloroquine.N Engl J Med.2019;380: 1656. doi:10.1056/NEJMicm1412167University of Edinburgh Scottish Sensory Centre.Medical information on bull’s eye maculopathy.National Institutes of Health: National Eye Institute.Stargardt disease.Updated September 29, 2021.Pellerano F.Hydroxychloroquine-induced bull’s eye maculopathy.Lancet Rheum.2020 (2): 2; E120. doi:10.1016/S2665-9913(19)30040-2American Academy of Ophthalmology.Drug induced maculopathy. Updated September 6, 2021.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Hydroxychloroquine toxicity.Updated April 19, 2021.University of Iowa.Bull’s eye maculopathy due to hydroxychloroquine toxicity. Updated June 29, 2015.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Modi YS, Singh RP.Bull’s eye maculopathy associated with hydroxychloroquine.N Engl J Med.2019;380: 1656. doi:10.1056/NEJMicm1412167University of Edinburgh Scottish Sensory Centre.Medical information on bull’s eye maculopathy.National Institutes of Health: National Eye Institute.Stargardt disease.Updated September 29, 2021.Pellerano F.Hydroxychloroquine-induced bull’s eye maculopathy.Lancet Rheum.2020 (2): 2; E120. doi:10.1016/S2665-9913(19)30040-2American Academy of Ophthalmology.Drug induced maculopathy. Updated September 6, 2021.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Hydroxychloroquine toxicity.Updated April 19, 2021.University of Iowa.Bull’s eye maculopathy due to hydroxychloroquine toxicity. Updated June 29, 2015.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Modi YS, Singh RP.Bull’s eye maculopathy associated with hydroxychloroquine.N Engl J Med.2019;380: 1656. doi:10.1056/NEJMicm1412167University of Edinburgh Scottish Sensory Centre.Medical information on bull’s eye maculopathy.National Institutes of Health: National Eye Institute.Stargardt disease.Updated September 29, 2021.Pellerano F.Hydroxychloroquine-induced bull’s eye maculopathy.Lancet Rheum.2020 (2): 2; E120. doi:10.1016/S2665-9913(19)30040-2American Academy of Ophthalmology.Drug induced maculopathy. Updated September 6, 2021.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Hydroxychloroquine toxicity.Updated April 19, 2021.University of Iowa.Bull’s eye maculopathy due to hydroxychloroquine toxicity. Updated June 29, 2015.
Modi YS, Singh RP.Bull’s eye maculopathy associated with hydroxychloroquine.N Engl J Med.2019;380: 1656. doi:10.1056/NEJMicm1412167
University of Edinburgh Scottish Sensory Centre.Medical information on bull’s eye maculopathy.
National Institutes of Health: National Eye Institute.Stargardt disease.Updated September 29, 2021.
Pellerano F.Hydroxychloroquine-induced bull’s eye maculopathy.Lancet Rheum.2020 (2): 2; E120. doi:10.1016/S2665-9913(19)30040-2
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Drug induced maculopathy. Updated September 6, 2021.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Hydroxychloroquine toxicity.Updated April 19, 2021.
University of Iowa.Bull’s eye maculopathy due to hydroxychloroquine toxicity. Updated June 29, 2015.
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