Your doctor will likely prescribe steroid tablets for you to take. Because it is important to treat vision loss from giant cell arteritis (GCA) as soon as possible, your doctor may not wait until a diagnosis is confirmed to give you steroid tablets. Many people feel better soon after starting treatment, but the treatment can last as long as two years.
Because steroid medications can have side effects, including increasing your chance of a bone fracture, you will need to be carefully monitored by your doctor while you are on this medication. Once you begin steroid treatment, your vision will likely stabilize. However, any vision loss you already experienced may be permanent. In such cases, making the most of your remaining vision will help maximize your independence.
