Arteritic AION (AAION)

Question 1

What is AAION caused by?

Answer 1

GCA.

GCA is an inflammatory disorder affecting the artery walls.

• Medium and large sized arteries only
  (e. g. superficial temporal artery, ophthalmic artery, posterior ciliary artery).

Question 2

What are the 3 ocular symptoms for AAION?

Answer 2

1. Sudden, unilateral severe vision loss (permanent)
2. Possible Periocular pain
3. Amaurosis fugax (transient loss of vision in one or both eyes)

Question 3

What are 7 systemic symptoms for AAION?

Answer 3

1. H/A
2. Neck/Temple Pain
3. Scalp Tenderness
4. Jaw claudication
5. Weight loss
6. Fatigue
7. Muscle Pain

Question 4

What are the 5 ocular signs of AAION?

Answer 4

• Vision worse than 6/60
• RAPD
• Swollen and Pale optic disc
• Possible CWS
• Arcuate VF defect

Question 5

What are the systemic signs of AAION?

Answer 5

• Prominent temporal artery (thick, pulses, tender doesn’t compress)

Question 5

What are the systemic signs of AAION?

Answer 5

• Prominent temporal artery (thick, pulseless, tender doesn’t compress)

Question 6

What is the referral and management for AAION?

Answer 6

EMERGENCY (SAME DAY REFERRAL)

• Oral and intravenous steroid administration
• Blood tests
• Temporal Artery Biopsy
• AIM = to prevent blindness in other eye

Question 7

What are possible associations with AAION?

Answer 7

• CRAO
• 3rd Nerve Palsy
• 4th Nerve Palsy