Neuro-Ophthalmologic
Associates,
P.C.
Specializing in diseases of the optic nerve
Neuro-Ophthalmologic
Associates,
P.C.
Specializing in diseases of the optic nerve
Giant Cell Arteritis (Temporal Arteritis)
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a disorder of more elderly patients, usually more than 60 years old. The older the patient, the higher the chance of developing this disease. It is part of a systemic disorder that has other symptoms such as aches and pains in the shoulders and large joints, scalp tenderness (particularly over the temples), and pain in the jaw upon chewing. The ocular problems in GCA are loss of vision (mainly from so-called arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) or blockage in the retinal blood vessels (central retinal artery occlusion). The definitive diagnosis of this disorder is made only by a temporal artery biopsy. There are some abnormal blood findings in most, but not all, patients. These include an erythrosedimentation rate and an abnormal C-reactive protein.
Treatment
GCA must be treated immediately and vigorously because without high-dose corticosteroid treatment the second eye is at risk to develop permanent severe visual loss within hours or days.
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Site last updated July 20, 2000
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