Antiphospholipid antibodies in the aetiology of ischaemic optic neuropathy.

The involvement of antiphospholipid antibodies in the mediation of acute anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION) was studied, in the light of recent associations between these autoantibodies and other vascular events. A strong association between IgG anticardiolipin antibodies and AION secondary to biopsy proven giant cell arteritis was identified, which did not exist with the 'non-arteritic', biopsy negative form of AION. The possible implications of this finding on the aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment of giant cell arteritis are discussed.