# Unilateral Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Revealing Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A case report shows how sudden vision loss from a retinal artery blockage led to the diagnosis of a serious blood vessel inflammation called giant cell arteritis.

## Contribution

This paper presents a novel clinical case linking unilateral central retinal artery occlusion to giant cell arteritis, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis.

## Key findings

- A 62-year-old patient with sudden vision loss was diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion and giant cell arteritis.
- Combining clinical, biological, and histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis.
- Early recognition and temporal artery biopsy are crucial for preventing severe visual complications.

## Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is a granulomatous vasculitis that affects large and medium-sized blood vessels. While the exact etiology remains unclear, the inflammation predominantly involves the aorta and its branches, particularly the orbital arteries. Among these, the posterior ciliary arteries (PCAs), which supply the choroid, optic nerve head, and cilioretinal artery, are especially prone to involvement. Ocular manifestations of GCA occur frequently and may result in significant visual loss. Ophthalmic conditions associated with GCA include arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AAION), arteritic posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NIPON), choroidal ischemia, ocular ischemia syndrome, and central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). Diagnosis is made based on a combination of clinical, biological, and radiological findings, along with confirmation through histopathology. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to prevent permanent visual impairment or bilateral involvement. We report a case of a 62-year-old patient admitted for sudden vision loss, diagnosed with CRAO. The clinical, biological, and histopathological examination led to the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. This study highlights the importance of early recognition and biopsy of the temporal artery for confirming the diagnosis and guiding management.