Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) - Recognition of giant cell arteritis (GCA)



1) Is visual loss caused by AION? 

Definition: acute ischemic disorder of the optic nerve caused by inflammation and thrombosis of short posterior ciliary arteries 

 • Sudden painless vision vision in patients older than 50 years 

 • Visual field: altitudinal defect 

 • Fundoscopy: optic disc swelling with splinter hemorrhages 

 • Fluorescein angiography: papillary hypofluorescence 



2) Typical symptoms of GCA? 

Clinical manifestations 

 • Cephalic symptoms 

 • Constitutional symptoms 

 • Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) 

 • Increased ESR and/or CRP 

Temporal Doppler US : halo sign 

PET/CT: aortitis/PMR 

Dramatic efficacy of GCs 

Abnormal TAB 



By Dr. Simon Parreau @ParreauS



#AnteriorIschemicOpticNeuropathy #AION #GiantCellArteritis #GCA #Rheumatology #Ophthalmology #Diagnosis #Algorithm