Medication Summary
Oral steroids are of little or no use in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Systemic steroids must be initiated early in the case of giant cell arteritis (GCA), especially if one eye is involved. Usually, the treatment prevents the second eye from becoming involved, but sometimes, vision is lost despite steroids. [20, 21, 22]
Corticosteroids
Class Summary
These agents have anti-inflammatory properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. In addition, these agents modify the body's immune response to diverse stimuli. In those cases that overlap with the optic neuritis (inflammatory, demyelinating) group (ie, patients in their fourth to fifth decade), a trial of steroids (intravenous) is useful.
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol, Depo-Medrol)
Decreases inflammation by suppressing migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversing increased capillary permeability.
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Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy of the right eye. Swollen pale disc that can be seen in a stereoscopic view by converging the eyes and fusing the central image.
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Sectorial optic atrophy of the right eye as a late finding resulting from anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Atrophy has supervened, and the atrophic pale disc with a more pronounced cup can be seen steroscopically.
