Study of Orbital Vessel Inflammation Using FDG PETMRI and OCT Imaging in Adults 50 Years and Older with Ischemic Optic Neuropathy or Giant Cell Arteritis

What this Trial Is About

Giant cell arteritis GCA is an inflammation of blood vessels that can cause serious complications like sudden vision loss due to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. It is important to distinguish this condition from non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy NAION, a similar cause of vision loss that does not benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment. This research aims to study these conditions using advanced imaging techniques to better understand vascular inflammation and retinal changes. The study uses FDG PETMRI with Black Blood sequences and Optical Coherence Tomography OCT to examine inflammation in the small vessels of the eye orbit and subtle retinal changes. It includes two groups adults aged 50 or older with new onset anterior ischemic optic neuropathy AION and adults 50 or older newly diagnosed with GCA without vision loss. The study will assess differences in imaging markers of inflammation and retinal abnormalities between A-AION and NAION, and track vision loss risk in GCA patients over time. Participants will undergo PETMRI and OCT imaging to measure sugar metabolism, vessel wall changes, and retinal biomarkers. Researchers will monitor participants for up to 2 years to observe ocular complications and correlate imaging findings with clinical diagnosis. The study focuses on improving diagnosis and treatment decisions for GCA and NAION by identifying vascular inflammation and retinal changes that help distinguish these conditions and predict vision loss risk.

Orbital Vascular Inflammation in Ischemic Optic Neuropathy and Giant Cell Arteritis