Temporal Arteritis , also known as Giant Cell Arteritis is a generalized vasculitic process affecting people over the age of 55 and inflaming the walls of large and medium sized vessels throughout the body. The ocular involvement is due to loss of blood supply to the optic nerve. Other vessels supplying the heart, brain kidney and liver may be compromised. Slides 18 and 19 Visual loss may initially be unilateral and is permanent. If left untreated bilateral blindness may develop.
Death is typically due to cardiac or brain involvement.
Once one is suspicious of the diagnosis treatment with high dose oral steroids must be initiated immediately. Usually 60 to 100mg of prednisone. An ESR is performed which will be elevated though exceptions do occur. The diagnosis is ultimately made with a temporal artery biopsy demonstrating giant cells in the substantia media.