Bilateral arteritic central retinal artery occlusion in a Chinese patient.
OBJECTIVE
To report the first case of bilateral central retinal artery occlusion caused by giant cell arteritis in a Chinese patient.


METHODS
We studied a Chinese patient who had a history of weight loss, calf claudication and sequential right and left central retinal artery occlusion.


RESULTS
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was greater than 150 mm/h. Temporal artery biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. Systemic steroid prevented further visual loss in the second eye.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that this is the first report in literature on the ophthalmological presentation of giant cell arteritis in a Chinese patient. Giant cell arteritis as a cause of central retinal artery occlusion should always be on the list of differential diagnosis, as early diagnosis and treatment may help to salvage the first eye and prevent blindness from developing in the second eye.
Kwok
A K
AK
Prince of Wales Hospital Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories.
Lam
D S
DS
Liew
C T
CT
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002681:China; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D014792:Visual Acuity
D005938:Glucocorticoids