CHOROIDAL NONPERFUSION IN GIANT-CELL ARTERITIS

A 68-year-old man had visual loss secondary to isolated choroidal nonp erfusion as a clinical manifestation of giant cell arteritis. Ophthalm oscopy disclosed scattered yellow-white lesions at the level of the re tinal pigment epithelium in the posterior pole of the right eye. Intra venous fluorescein angiography demonstrated marked delay in choroidal filling of the macula in the right eye. There was no ophthalmoscopic o r angiographic evidence of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or centr al retinal artery occlusion. After approximately 72 hours of intraveno us corticosteroid therapy, the patient's visual acuity improved and re peat intravenous fluorescein angiography showed normal choroidal circu lation. Isolated choroidal ischemia is a potential cause of reversible visual loss in patients with giant cell arteritis.