What is the most common catastrophic outcome in Giant Cell Arteritis?
Visual loss occurs in 15% of patients, can be an early symptom, and is most commonly due to ischemic optic neuritis. Anatomic lesions that produce anterior ischemic optic neuritis most commonly result from arteritis involving the posterior ciliary branches of the ophthalmic arteries. The blindness is abrupt and painless. Retinal and ophthalmic artery thromboses and occipital strokes are less common causes of blindness. Blindness occurs in <1% of patients after corticosteroids are begun. In situations of threatened or impending vision loss, treatment should not be delayed for diagnostic purposes.
