Optic disc cupping in arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy resembles glaucomatous cupping

Five cases of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy secondary to biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis are presented. In each case, cupping of the optic disc, which closely resembled glaucomatous cupping, was observed in the affected eye. The presence of glaucoma was ruled out on the basis of normal intraocular pressures and normal tonographic measurements of facility of outflow. These cases indicate that arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy can result in optic disc cupping, which closely resembles glaucomatous cupping. The similarities in the appearance of cupping of these discs with that seen in eyes with glaucoma suggest that the pathogenesis of cupping in glaucoma and in arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy may share some common mechanisms.