Vision Impairment Caused by Temporal Arteritis
Temporal arteritis can lead to vision impairment through several complications. One of these is the blockage of the central retinal artery in the choroid, which is responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients to the retina. When this blockage occurs, it can result in a significant loss of vision. Additionally, around seven percent of individuals with temporal arteritis may experience an occipital lobe infarct, which is essentially a stroke in the occipital lobe. This can also contribute to vision loss.
Mouth Complications
When individuals over 50 experience jaw pain, dentists may mistakenly diagnose it as temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ, when in fact it could be a symptom of temporal arteritis. This condition involves the thickening and inflammation of the blood vessels in the area, which can result in changes to the jaw muscles, leading to cramping and pain during chewing. In addition to jaw problems, individuals may also develop ischemic lesions on their tongue, which can ultimately lead to tongue necrosis. Both of these complications can make eating a challenging and uncomfortable task, often resulting in unintentional weight loss.