Clinical Characteristics of Optic Disc Edema Secondary to Increased Intracranial Pressure

Abstract

　Papilledema is defined as optic disc edema secondary to increased intracranial pressure. Papilledema is an important clinical finding as it is typically a warning sign of life-threatening conditions, such as a brain tumor, meningitis, or obstructive hydrocephalus. Currently, optical coherence tomography is widely used to quantitatively evaluate the time course of changes in optic disc edema by measuring the thickness of the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer. Papilledema is usually asymptomatic, and the enlargement of the blind spot is its only manifestation in the acute stage. However, severe papilledema accompanied by serous retinal detachment, retinal hemorrhage, retinal exudates, and vitreous hemorrhage can result in decreased visual acuity. Chronic papilledema leads to optic disc atrophy and irreversible visual impairment.