What is the cause of blurry vision in a patient with vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)?

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Last updated: April 23, 2025View editorial policy

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Differential Diagnosis for Blurry Vision and Vasculitis

  • Single most likely diagnosis
    • Giant Cell Arteritis: This condition is a form of vasculitis that affects the medium and large arteries, particularly those in the head. It can cause blurry vision due to ischemia of the optic nerve or retina, and is a common cause of vision loss in older adults.
  • Other Likely diagnoses
    • Wegener's Granulomatosis: A type of vasculitis that affects small to medium-sized vessels and can cause a wide range of symptoms, including blurry vision due to orbital or ocular involvement.
    • Polyarteritis Nodosa: A systemic vasculitis that can affect various organs, including the eyes, leading to symptoms such as blurry vision.
    • Eale's Disease: A rare condition characterized by retinal vasculitis, which can cause blurry vision, retinal hemorrhages, and vision loss.
  • Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
    • Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: A sudden and painless loss of vision due to occlusion of the central retinal artery, which can be caused by vasculitis, emboli, or other conditions.
    • Temporal Arteritis with Optic Neuritis: A condition that can cause sudden and severe vision loss due to inflammation of the optic nerve, often associated with giant cell arteritis.
    • Sarcoidosis: A systemic granulomatous disease that can cause uveitis, retinal vasculitis, and optic neuritis, leading to blurry vision and vision loss.
  • Rare diagnoses
    • Behçet's Disease: A rare condition characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, uveitis, and retinal vasculitis, which can cause blurry vision and vision loss.
    • Relapsing Polychondritis: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation of the cartilage and other tissues, including the eyes, leading to symptoms such as blurry vision.
    • Cogan's Syndrome: A rare condition characterized by interstitial keratitis and vestibular-auditory symptoms, which can also cause ocular inflammation and vasculitis leading to blurry vision.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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