Papilledema is swelling of one or both optic nerve discs.
Papilledema is a sign of some diseases that affect the brain.
It can be detected during a routine eye examination with an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or neurologist.
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This article covers the symptoms and causes of papilledema.
It also discusses how it’s diagnosed and what options are available for treatment.
Papilledema Symptoms
Papilledema itself is not a disease, but it is a sign of disease.
Symptoms associated with papilledema can include:
What Causes Papilledema?
There are a number of conditions that cause papilledema.
Physical pressure or CSF pressure can cause the optic disc to swell or to appear swollen.
Often, brain hemorrhages result in swelling or excessive blood within the skull that can manifest with papilledema.
This condition can cause permanent vision loss due to persistent pressure on the optic nerves.
Papilledema may worsen or improve depending on the degree of the brain swelling.
These diagnostic devices can visualize the inside of your eye behind your pupil.
How Is Papilledema Treated?
In addition, untreated increase in pressure inside the head can lead to brain damage.
Lumbar Puncture
Alumbar punctureis normally considered a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate cerebrospinal fluid.
It is a mildly uncomfortable procedure, but it is safe, and recovery generally takes a few hours.
Some people develop a post-lumbar puncture headache as the body adjusts to the lowered CSF pressure after fluid removal.
But if you have papilledema, you are likely to experience headache relief rather than a new headache.
The lumboperitoneal shunt is more commonly used for patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension/pseudotumor cerebri when clinical treatment fails.
Most of the time, papilledema can be treated effectively, but repeat treatment may be necessary.
Summary
Papilledema is swelling of the optic nerve discs in the back of the eye.
Symptoms include blurred vision, vision loss, headaches, pain behind the eyes, and fatigue.
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