{"id":1304,"date":"2025-10-02T10:07:44","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T10:07:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doodler.eu\/halkias\/?page_id=1304"},"modified":"2026-07-22T10:24:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T07:24:45","slug":"krotafiki-artiritida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/halkias.vision\/en\/pathiseis\/krotafiki-artiritida\/","title":{"rendered":"GIANT CELL ARTERITIS"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Giant cell arteritis<\/h1>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n
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Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is an inflammatory disease of medium-sized vessels, and as the name suggests, it usually affects the temporal artery.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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What is giant cell arteritis and how does it affect the eye?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
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Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is an inflammatory disease of medium-sized vessels, and as the name suggests, it usually affects the temporal artery.<\/p>\n

It is a condition that affects patients over the age of 50 (and in most cases over 70), while women are 2 times more likely to develop it. Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica have an increased risk of developing the disease.<\/p>\n

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is a pathological condition of the optic nerve that is closely linked to temporal arteritis, causing ischemia of the optic nerve and irreversible vision loss.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

What are the symptoms?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
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GCA can cause sudden, painless loss of vision. Symptoms that often coexist are headaches, pain in the temples, fatigue, weight loss, pain when chewing and scalp tenderness.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

How is it diagnosed and what is the role of the Ophthalmologist?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
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Early and accurate diagnosis is extremely important, as without treatment the other eye can become affected in a short period of time.<\/p>\n

A thorough history, physical examination and laboratory tests are all equally important. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and CRP are inflammatory markers that are universally elevated in patients with GCA.<\/p>\n

A temporal artery biopsy is often needed to confirm the diagnosis. This can be performed by an Oculoplastic surgeon, who can safely remove part of the temporal artery through a thin incision in the scalp.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

What is the treatment?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
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If GCA is suspected, the patient should receive high-dose systemic steroids (prednisone) right away. Treatment should never be delayed while waiting for a temporal artery biopsy or lab results, as even a few hours can make the difference in preserving a patient's sight.\n

Multidisciplinary Care <\/strong>\n
A referral to a rheumatologist is essential for long-term management. The rheumatologist will:<\/p>\n

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  • Monitor the patient\u2019s systemic health: Managing the side effects of long-term steroid use. <\/li>\n
  • Taper the dosage: Gradually reducing the steroids over several months or years while ensuring the disease remains in remission.\n<\/li>\n
  • Introduce Sparing Agents: They may suggest the use of modern biologic agents (such as Tocilizumab).\n\n<\/li><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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    For more information about giant cell arteritis, Oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Ioannis Chalkias is available to assist you.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>