AAION Flashcards
What does AAION (GCA) stand for?
Anterior Arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy associated with Giant Cell Arteritis.
What are the signs of AAION (GCA)?
Reduced visual acuity, Disc pallor, Optic nerve swelling, Cotton wool spots, Colour vision defect.
What is a common symptom of AAION (GCA) affecting vision?
Diplopia (double vision).
What are the eye movement-related symptoms of AAION (GCA)?
Diplopia, Ptosis, Nystagmus.
What types of pain are associated with AAION (GCA)?
Pain in the temples, Pain when chewing, Scalp pain or tingling.
What are the body pain symptoms of AAION (GCA)?
Neck pain, Muscle aches and pains, particularly in upper legs or arms.
What general symptoms may present in AAION (GCA)?
General fatigue, Loss of appetite, Unexplained weight loss, Fever.
What is the most urgent step in managing AAION (GCA)?
Emergency referral to ophthalmology.
What is a diagnostic procedure often performed for AAION (GCA)?
Temporal artery biopsy.
What is the primary treatment for AAION (GCA)?
High-dose steroids.
What type of visual symptom might patients with AAION (GCA) complain of besides diplopia?
Reduced visual acuity.
What might be a sign of optic nerve involvement in AAION (GCA)?
Optic nerve swelling and disc pallor.
What symptom suggests involvement of the scalp in AAION (GCA)?
Scalp pain or tingling.
What are common systemic symptoms in AAION (GCA)?
Fever and unexplained weight loss.
What is a key laboratory or biopsy procedure to confirm GCA?
Temporal artery biopsy.
What causes AAION (GCA)?
Inflammation of the arteries, especially temporal arteries, reducing blood flow to the optic nerve.
What are the risk factors for AAION (GCA)?
People over 50, Women more than men, Associated with systemic inflammatory diseases like GCA.
How does AAION (GCA) typically affect vision?
Sudden, painless vision loss, typically in one eye, can be permanent.
What are the complications of untreated AAION (GCA)?
Irreversible blindness, Possible stroke.
What blood tests help in diagnosing AAION (GCA)?
Elevated ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP).
What is long-term management for AAION (GCA)?
Prolonged corticosteroid taper, Monitoring for steroid side effects.
What is the prognosis for AAION (GCA) with prompt treatment?
Further vision loss can be prevented, but lost vision is typically not recoverable.
