Concurrent central retinal artery occlusion and branch retinal vein occlusion in giant cell arteritis

Abstract

Ophthalmic involvement in giant cell arteritis can manifest in a number of ways. Central retinal artery occlusion is one of the common causes of visual loss in giant cell arteritis. On the contrary, branch retinal vein occlusion is rarely associated with the latter. We report an 89-year-old lady with acute left central retinal artery occlusion on a background of progressive decline in vision over a 6-month period with a concurrent right branch retinal vein occlusion. Subsequent investigation confirmed giant cell arteritis on temporal artery biopsy. This is the first reported case of a concurrent central retinal artery occlusion and branch retinal vein occlusion in giant cell arteritis, and highlights the various ocular presentations that can occur in giant cell arteritis.