Steroid induced central serous chorioretinopathy in giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an ophthalmic emergency which requires early diagnosis and treatment with high dose systemic corticosteroids in order to prevent permanent visual loss. However, systemic corticosteroids have significant ocular side effects including cataract formation, raised intraocular pressure, and less commonly, central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). We report a case of visual loss secondary to CSCR complicating corticosteroid therapy in GCA. When assessing patients with systemic conditions such as GCA or other vasculitic process, who complain of visual loss which is getting worse on corticosteroid treatment, clinicians should consider other causes such as CSCR as part of the differential diagnosis. Extra caution should be exercised in such cases as increasing the dose of corticosteroids might aggravate CSCR resulting in further visual loss.