What causes papilledema in eyes?

Papilledema occurs when there is increased pressure on the optic nerve from the brain and CSF. This pressure causes the nerve to swell as it enters the eyeball at the optic disc. There are some serious medical conditions that can cause this increased pressure to develop, including : head trauma.

How would you describe Papilloedema?

Papilledema or papilloedema is optic disc swelling that is caused by increased intracranial pressure due to any cause. The swelling is usually bilateral and can occur over a period of hours to weeks. Unilateral presentation is extremely rare.

What is the most common cause of papilledema?

The most common causes of papilledema without IIH were intracranial tumor, intracranial hemorrhage, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (Table 1).

What does Papilloedema look like on Fundoscopy?

Fundus examination may reveal the signs below. Early manifestations of papilledema include the following: Disc hyperemia. Subtle edema of the nerve fiber layer can be identified with careful slit lamp biomicroscopy and direct ophthalmoscopy.

Is Papilledema a medical emergency?

This papilledema patient presented with bilateral disc swelling. Because papilledema is a medical emergency, this can often be handled in a hospital, which can be much more efficient than an outpatient clinic.

How is Papilledema treated?

Treatment of Papilledema Papilledema that occurs as a result of idiopathic intracranial hypertension can be treated with weight loss and a diuretic. If unsuccessful, surgical procedures can be done. An infection, if bacterial, can be treated with antibiotics. A brain abscess is drained, and antibiotics are given.

How is papilledema measured?

Papilledema can be observed with the same ultrasound views that are used to measure optic nerve sheath diameter, so looking for papilledema requires no additional work. Ultrasonographic papilledema may be combined with measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter to evaluate for elevated intracranial pressure.

How do you evaluate papilledema?

There are no early symptoms, although vision may be disturbed for a few seconds. Papilledema requires an immediate search for the cause. Diagnosis is by ophthalmoscopy with further tests, usually brain imaging and sometimes subsequent lumbar puncture, to determine cause.

What is the treatment for Papilledema?

What is a normal fundus?

Normal Fundus. The disk has sharp margins and is normal in color, with a small central cup. Arterioles and venules have normal color, sheen, and course. Background is in normal color. The macula is enclosed by arching temporal vessels. The fovea is located by a central pit.

What do you see in fundoscopy?

Fundoscopic / Ophthalmoscopic Exam. Visualization of the retina can provide lots of information about a medical diagnosis. These diagnoses include high blood pressure, diabetes, increased pressure in the brain and infections like endocarditis.

What medications can cause papilledema?

You can also get papilledema as a side effect of taking — or stopping — some medications, including:

• Corticosteroids.
• Isotretinoin.
• Lithium.
• Tetracycline.

What is papilledema in the eye?

View All. Papilledema is the term used for swelling of one or both optic nerve discs. The optic nerve disc, also called optic nerve head, is a small oval-shaped area on the back of the eye, marking the site of entrance of the optic nerve into the eyeball. Papilledema is a sign of some diseases that affect the brain.

What are the signs of papilledema during a fundus exam?

When performing a fundus exam in a patient with papilledema, variable signs can be found depending on the severity of the condition. Looking at the fundus we pay attention to the following: The optic nerve head : retinal nerve fiber opacification, elevation of the margins, hyperemia, and obliteration of the cup

What is the pathophysiology of foldfolds in papilledema?

Folds in papilledema are biomechanical signs of stress/strain on the optic nerve head and load-bearing structures induced by intracranial hypertension. Folds are best imaged with SD-OCT.

What is optic nerve swelling (papilledema)?

Papilledema or optic nerve swelling indicates the presence of a serious and often life-threatening condition. Unless treated, elevated brain pressure can lead to permanent nerve damage, vision loss, and death. 1 What Causes Papilledema? What are the Symptoms of Papilledema? Is Papilledema Serious? When is it an Emergency?