Papilledema

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Papilledema
Papilledema as seen on fundoscopic examination
Synonyms	Papilloedema
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Headache, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances
Complications	Vision loss, blindness
Onset	Sudden or gradual
Duration	Variable, depending on underlying cause
Types	N/A
Causes	Increased intracranial pressure, brain tumor, cerebral hemorrhage, meningitis, pseudotumor cerebri
Risks	Obesity, hypertension, pregnancy
Diagnosis	Fundoscopy, MRI, CT scan, lumbar puncture
Differential diagnosis	Optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, glaucoma
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Addressing underlying cause, medications, surgery
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Depends on cause and treatment
Frequency	Varies
Deaths	N/A

Severe papilledema in the right eye

Papilledema revealed by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy

Papilledema is a medical condition where the optic disc (the area at the back of the eye where the optic nerve enters) swells due to increased intracranial pressure. This condition can be a sign of serious medical conditions such as brain tumors or meningitis.

Causes

Papilledema is caused by an increase in intracranial pressure due to various conditions such as brain tumors, meningitis, hypertensive emergency, or idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Symptoms

The symptoms of papilledema can vary depending on the cause of the increased intracranial pressure. Some common symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and diplopia (double vision). In severe cases, it can lead to vision loss.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of papilledema is usually made by an ophthalmologist using an ophthalmoscope to examine the back of the eye. Other tests such as MRI or CT scan may be used to determine the cause of the increased intracranial pressure.

Treatment

The treatment of papilledema is aimed at reducing the increased intracranial pressure. This can be achieved through medication, surgery, or other treatments depending on the cause of the increased pressure.

See also

• Optic disc
• Optic nerve
• Intracranial pressure
• Brain tumor
• Meningitis
• Hypertensive emergency
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension

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