Step I Temporal Arteritis and Blindness

[Postictal Raiden]

So I know that when temporal (giant cell) arteritis is suspected, the patient must be started on GC's immediately to avoid blindness. However, I don't see how an occlusion of the temporal artery leads to blindness. The eye gets its blood supply from the retinal artery which comes from the ophthalmic artery, a branch of the ICA. Temporal artery is a branch of the external carotid artery, so what am I missing?

 

[Tajima]

So I know that when temporal (giant cell) arteritis is suspected, the patient must be started on GC's immediately to avoid blindness. However, I don't see how an occlusion of the temporal artery leads to blindness. The eye gets its blood supply from the retinal artery which comes from the ophthalmic artery, a branch of the ICA. Temporal artery is a branch of the external carotid artery, so what am I missing?

It affects both of those arteries. The temporal artery is talked about more often though, probably because you can biopsy it.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

It affects both of those arteries. The temporal artery is talked about more often though, probably because you can biopsy it.

Gotcha, thanks.