Antimalarial drugs (chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine) used to prevent malaria for a long time, are also useful in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Recent studies have shown that these drugs have anticancer, antidiabetic and antiretroviral effects. They have relatively few adverse events, most of which is mild and reversible. The most serious complication of treatment is irreversible, bilateral bull’s‑eye retinopathy which becomes symptomatic only at the advanced stage and leads to permanent loss of vision. The growing number of patients who use chloroquine and its derivative in a long‑term therapy makes it necessary to educate patients and physicians (ophthalmologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, diabetologists, oncologists) on the need for screening for retinopathy from the start of taking medicines. The aim of this review is to present the characteristic symptoms of ocular toxicity, risk factors and current recommendations for monitoring patients who use antimalarial drugs.