Giant arteritis will not go away and cannot be cured. However, medical treatment can minimise tissue damage resulting from the condition and should be undertaken immediately if GCA is suspected.

How long does temporal arteritis last?

Most people make a full recovery, but treatment may be needed for 1 to 2 years or longer. The condition may return at a later date. Damage to other blood vessels in the body, such as aneurysms (ballooning of the blood vessels), may occur.

Is temporal arteritis permanent?

Usually the visual loss that occurs due to temporal arteritis is permanent. The reason it is so important to make an early diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible is to try to stop the inflammation before it progresses to cause severe visual loss in both eyes.