If you are experiencing vision problems, your ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) will conduct a detailed eye examination. He or she will check your visual acuity and measure your eye pressure, as well as conduct a dilated eye examination to look for signs of damage to the optic nerve or retina. Your doctor also will examine your head. Touching the head may show that the scalp is sensitive and has a tender, thick artery on one side. The affected artery may have a weak pulse or no pulse.
Your doctor may also order blood tests. While the tests cannot confirm if you have giant cell arteritis (GCA), they can show whether your body is experiencing inflammation. A biopsy, or sample of tissue, in your artery can confirm the findings of the blood tests. In addition, your doctor may order imaging tests, such as an MRI, to evaluate the health of your arteries.
Next Page: Giant Cell Arteritis Treatment
