Update on giant cell arteritis.
OBJECTIVE
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis that causes visual loss in the elderly. This review highlights current concepts dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and visual prognosis of patients with GCA.


RESULTS
Recent evidence suggests that recovery of visual function in patients with visual loss from GCA is poor. An algorithm has been constructed to assist clinicians in the evaluation and management of patients suspected of having GCA.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a number of new adjunctive agents, corticosteroids remain the standard treatment in patients with GCA.
Su
Grant W
GW
Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Foroozan
Rod
R
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000465:Algorithms; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones