Suspected Temporal Arteritis
Call Now for Same-Day Assessment
If you are over 50 and have a new headache with jaw pain on chewing, scalp tenderness, any change in your vision, or sudden double vision, call (02) 8544 0719 today.
If after hours, present to Sydney Eye Hospital Emergency, 8 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
What to Watch For
Temporal arteritis (also known as giant cell arteritis) is inflammation of the arteries around the temples and scalp. It mostly affects people over 70 and is rare under 50. Without prompt treatment, it can cause sudden, permanent loss of vision — sometimes in both eyes.
See an ophthalmologist or GP the same day if you have any combination of:
- A new headache, usually at the temples or the back of the head
- Pain or tiredness in the jaw when chewing
- Tenderness of the scalp — painful to comb hair or rest on a pillow
- A brief episode of vision loss in one eye, or a sudden drop in vision
- New double vision
- Unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, fevers or general unwellness
- Aching and stiffness in the shoulders or hips (polymyalgia rheumatica)
Why It Is Urgent
Vision loss from temporal arteritis is usually permanent once it has occurred, and the other eye can be affected within days. Starting treatment quickly — usually with steroid tablets — prevents most cases of vision loss. Blood tests and, where appropriate, a temporal artery biopsy confirm the diagnosis.