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Acute visual loss in papilloedema: the diagnostic pitfalls
Hon Shing Ong1, Clare Fraser, Indran Davagnanam
1Department of Neuro-ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162 City Road, London, EC1V 2PD, UK, honshing@gmail.com.
International Ophthalmology
|June 11, 2013
Summary
Papilloedema, optic disc swelling from elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), can present with vision loss. This case highlights that papilloedema may mimic optic neuritis, emphasizing the need for careful diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Papilloedema is optic disc swelling due to elevated intracranial pressure (ICP).
- Typically, vision is preserved early in papilloedema.
- However, visual loss can occur in some cases.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with both visual loss and optic disc swelling.
- They were initially diagnosed with optic neuritis in a neuro-ophthalmology clinic.
- The clinical presentation included reduced visual acuity and disc swelling.
Findings:
- The patients were ultimately diagnosed with papilloedema.
- This suggests papilloedema can present atypically, mimicking other optic neuropathies.
- Elevated ICP should be considered in cases of disc swelling with visual deficits.
Implications:
- This presentation underscores the importance of considering papilloedema in patients with unexplained visual loss and optic disc swelling.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage underlying elevated ICP and prevent further vision impairment.
- Neuro-ophthalmology evaluation is key for differentiating papilloedema from optic neuritis.
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