What is the reason that temporal arteritis requires immediate treatment?

Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is an important condition that primarily affects the arteries in the head, particularly those supplying the eyes, which makes immediate treatment crucial. The major reason for prompt intervention is to prevent blindness in the affected eye. Temporal arteritis can lead to significant inflammation of the arteries, and if not treated swiftly with corticosteroids, this inflammation can compromise blood flow to the optic nerve, resulting in irreversible vision loss.

Effective and early treatment with high-dose corticosteroids can significantly reduce the risk of vision complications and is essential to preserve sight in patients who are at high risk due to this condition. This risk of acute vision loss is particularly pertinent when symptoms such as sudden visual disturbances, headache, or jaw claudication are present. Each of these symptoms raises the suspicion for temporal arteritis and underscores the necessity for prompt medical intervention to safeguard against permanent damage.