Ophthalmology
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Review Case Reports
Visual deterioration in giant cell arteritis patients while on high doses of corticosteroid therapy.
To report the incidence and extent of visual deterioration in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) on high doses of systemic corticosteroids during the early stages of treatment; the various factors that may influence the outcome; and whether intravenous megadose corticosteroid therapy is more effective than oral therapy. ⋯ Our study shows that although a few eyes can develop visual deterioration while on high doses of steroid therapy, early, adequate steroid therapy is effective in preventing further visual loss in most. When further visual deterioration occurred despite high doses of systemic corticosteroids, it almost invariably started within 5 days after the start of the high-dose steroid therapy. There was no evidence that intravenous megadose steroid therapy was more effective than oral therapy in preventing visual deterioration.
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To describe the occurrence of conjunctival ulcers as a manifestation of Behçet's disease. ⋯ In addition to the oral and genital ulceration, ulcers can also be found in the conjunctiva of patients with Behçet's disease. Although this is a rare clinical sign, when accompanied by uveitis or orogenital ulcers, it may suggest a diagnosis of Behçet's disease.