Open AccessVisual loss in giant cell arteritis 3 weeks after steroid initiation
Author(s) -
Anouk Le Goueff,
James E. Peters,
Lisa Willcocks,
David Jayne
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2018-228251
Subject(s) - medicine , giant cell arteritis , blindness , vasculitis , arteritis , dermatology , complication , surgery , pediatrics , pathology , disease , optometry
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis in adults and blindness is a common complication if left untreated. Oral glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment and if started promptly, loss of vision can usually be prevented. We present the case of a 77-year-old man who developed irreversible bilateral blindness after a confirmed diagnosis of GCA and oral steroid treatment. The roles of diagnostic delay, steroid dosing, significance of visual symptoms at diagnosis and after commencing oral glucocorticoids, and interpretation of ophthalmological signs are reviewed.