![]() ![]() Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis) can result in an optic neuropathy in one or both eyes. ![]() ![]() How do different forms of vasculitis affect the eye? In Giant cell arteritis a sample of artery from the temple (the temporal artery) is used to help with the diagnosis. Rarely, a small sample of tissue is taken from the eye or around the eye to send for analysis in the laboratory to look for signs of vasculitis. If there is inflammation behind the eye a CT or MRI scan can be useful. Blood markers of inflammation (including the CRP, ESR and plasma viscosity) are useful in diagnosing and monitoring giant cell arteritis. The eye examination can tell which part of the eye is inflamed but does not show what has caused the inflammation and so other investigations, such as blood tests, can be helpful in making a diagnosis. It is possible to look into the back of the eye by enlarging the pupil with dilating eye drops. Ophthalmologists use a slit lamp which has a microscope that gives a magnified view of the eye. Vasculitis affecting the eye is usually diagnosed by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). This article discusses the different forms of vasculitis and explains how they can affect the eye. With advances in the understanding of ocular inflammation it has become clear that the treatments for vasculitis elsewhere in the body are also useful for treating vasculitis affecting the eye. In some patients there is only mild inflammation which does not affect the vision and in others symptoms are more severe and the vision may become affected. Vasculitis can affect different parts of the eye. The Trust is indebted to Dr Catherine Guly, Consultant Ophthalmic Physician, Bristol Eye Hospital for providing the following information on vasculitis and the eye ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |