Untreated temporal arteritis may lead to which serious complication?

Untreated temporal arteritis may lead to which serious complication?

• A. Blindness
• B. Hearing loss
• C. Peripheral edema
• D. Seizures

Answer: (A)

Temporal arteritis can inflame and narrow the arteries that supply the optic nerve. When this inflammation reduces blood flow to the optic nerve head, it can cause anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and sudden, irreversible vision loss if not treated promptly. Because of this, the most serious complication of untreated temporal arteritis is blindness, which is why rapid diagnosis and high-dose corticosteroid therapy are crucial. While other features like jaw claudication or scalp tenderness signal the condition, and some patients may have hearing changes, the feared outcome is loss of vision.

Temporal arteritis can inflame and narrow the arteries that supply the optic nerve. When this inflammation reduces blood flow to the optic nerve head, it can cause anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and sudden, irreversible vision loss if not treated promptly. Because of this, the most serious complication of untreated temporal arteritis is blindness, which is why rapid diagnosis and high-dose corticosteroid therapy are crucial. While other features like jaw claudication or scalp tenderness signal the condition, and some patients may have hearing changes, the feared outcome is loss of vision.