Ischemic optic neuropathy and giant cell arteritis

Ischemic optic neuropathy in dialyzed patients: A previously unrecognized manifestation of calcific uremic arteriolopathy

Two patients with end-stage renal disease and on long-term hemodialysis presented with hypotension and an acute unilateral loss of vision. A diagnosis of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) was made quickly, but despite high-dose steroid therapy, significant vision was not recovered. Temporal artery biopsy results showed extensive medial calcification. The possibility that hypotension, when coupled with calcific uremic arteriolopathy in arteries supplying the optic nerve head, will lead to AION in dialyzed patients is discussed. A short review of AION in the dialysis population is given.

Giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis has been considered an enigmatic disease. It is characterised by chronic granulomatous inflammation of the walls of large and medium-sized arteries. The process has a predilection for the extradural cranial arteries, which include the ophthalmic and the posterior ciliary arteries. It is a multi-symptom disease of older individuals and patients often present with challenging issues and diagnostic dilemmas. We review the literature and latest protocols for the diagnosis and management of giant cell arteritis.

Visual manifestations of temporal arteritis

Visual difficulties are common in patients with temporal arteritis. They may be the presenting manifestation of the disease or may occur at any time during its course. The visual deficits that occur in patients with temporal arteritis are most often loss of visual acuity or visual field; however, some patients develop double vision or other symptoms of ocular motor dysfunction. Knowledge of the visual deficits associated with temporal arteritis can aid in the diagnosis of the disorder, and early diagnosis of temporal arteritis can often prevent such deficits from developing.