Bilateral arteritic central retinal artery occlusion in a Chinese patient

PURPOSE: 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.