Temporal arteritis(1): A systemic inflammatory disease that affects medium size arteries throughout the body can be a cause of visual loss resulting in optic atrophy. Patients may complain of scalp tenderness, fatique, loss of appetite, jaw claudication, weight loss, headaches. A biopsy of the temporal artery reveals a granulomatous, giant cell reaction with fragmentation of the internal elastic lamina. Note the giant cells present. Back to Optic Nerve